Top 10 Google Tools for Entrepreneurs

2009 is here and for a great many of us are looking at some huge opportunities before us. Whether you’re suffering because of the economy, or taking your idea and making it a reality, there is always risk involved going out on your own. As an entrepreneur the rules of the game change, and while you are your own boss, there is a lot you have to answer to when it comes to ensuring your success and proper execution of your idea.

As such, there is a big need for the right tools for the right job. Just like approaching any big project, the right tools can make you, the wrong tools will break you. I’ve taken the time to do a post on the top 10 tools that an entrepreneur can use to keep their professional life and business life in check. I’ve chosen Google tools simply because they all sync with one another. There are a lot of people out there that may naysay Google products, but having everything sync together just makes things easier.

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Book Worms Unite with BookSprouts

Never before have we as a global community ever felt so connected as we have in the past ten years. We have grown from gatherings, town hall meetings, forums and message boards, internet chat rooms, to social networks. I host a podcast over at Tech in Twenty, and we’ve discussed the growth in popularity for social networks and how niche interests have played a huge part of that growth.

We have all heard of the popular social networks like MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Ning, etc. But there are a lot of networks out there that cater to a more specific market, no matter if you’re into music, television, knitting, dating, marbles, or candles, there is a group for you. BookSprouts is the newly developed social site for book clubs. The site is a amongst a few competitors that claim to be a space for readers, but BookSprout is different in that the actual design is easy to navigate at the layout is welcoming to new users with little confusion. Every step for you is laid out so that users can get started immediately without getting lost in the site.

I had time to explore the site and came across the same problem the write of the TechCrunch article did. Only two of the books I listed had actual groups connected to them. This was rather limiting since those books were not considered favorites of mine, so it left me little desire to join that discussion. While I won’t blame this entirely on BookSprout, this is a user generated community, unless someone starts a group for the book, I have little time to manage one on my own.

I like how the site is free of ads. Though one might question the ability of the site to sustain itself, other social sites like Ning are free of advertisements and function perfectly well without all the advertising. The ability to purchase what other users are reading straight from the site is nice with an easily accessible Amazon link, but might be too limiting considering that there might be other places offering the book cheaper. For that you might want to check out my post on Booksprice.

Here is a video that details what Booksprice offers and what they’ve done for their users. Pick a couple of books, sign-up, and enjoy!

Cuil, The Search Engine That Couldn’t…Search

I don’t know where to begin with this one. It was not that long ago, earlier this year, when Cuil was touted as the Google killer. This search engine was to massacre all known search engines known to man, a powerhouse of innovation and usability. There was a lot of hype, some amazing PR, and the world anticipated this amazing release. Sure many of us had out doubts, Google was just so dominant, how could this awkwardly named search engine be anything better. Then again, Google was an odd word some years ago prior to it making its debut.

So just happend with Cuil, and where is it today? Well aside from the fact that the search engine was a miserable failure. Aside from the fact that the search engine was actually crashing sites. And aside from the fact that there were entire sites, highly trafficked sites, that just did not make the listings. Cuil really tried to succeed, but alas, it was a marketing disaster, a sinking ship, a search engine site that just could not search.

The backlash was expected and even became the root of several jokes in the tech community. I personally remember looking for stories on Cuil so that I could laugh. Critics did not hold back anything with their analysis of the search engine, and almost immediately the wind left its sails.

Today those using Cuil are very very very few and far between. With the number of users practically hitting rock bottom, I almost wonder who is actually using this search engine for anything other than research. I’m convinced that only people using Cuil for research on how not to build a search engine are the numbers that are being recorded. I can’t imagine anyone seriously using it for any practical purposes. Perhaps the developers left their computers on a an infinite search loop to give it some traction, but I doubt it.

Alas Cuil, as we wrap up 2008, you will not be missed, but gosh you provided us with laughs. Thank-you!

Pricing Books Just Got Social

There are a lot of companies out there doing amazing things with emerging social media opportunities. It seems that this opportunities are not industry specific. Currently new ideas and applications for these ideas span across all industries, and all it takes is some innovative thinking to make it happen. Being a start-up is no longer a requirement. There are a lot of existing ideas and companies out there that are reinventing themselves with social media, and the “now” generation when it comes to getting information on the spot.

Mobile technology does not make it any easier on companies either. With so many applications out there, you can do everything from making payments to ordering pizza, even shopping for groceries for a quick quick up at the store. The speed of technology is forcing companies to think faster and smarter, probably moreso now than ever before. This is the business world we stand in today; social media, mobile apps, instant connectivity, instant gratification, the world moves faster, so businesess have to move faster.

This is where Booksprice comes in. Here is a company with a solid business model of providing cheap books for users looking for the best deals. Their site is amazingly easy to navigate but offers more than just books, it offers music, DVD’s, and more. What’s the “more”? Think of it like a mashup of Amazon and MySimon, or any other similar combination. I’ve been using the site for searches over the past week and have found it very useful.

This is definitely a college student’s dream when it comes to finding affordable textbooks!

Pricing Books At Your Fingertips
Booksprice announced at the beginning of the month that their company was now offering instant lookup via Twitter, called Price Tweet. Twitter has been the micro-blogging application that has simply taken the social media world by storm as the ultimate way to connect with users worldwide. This life tracking application has been integrated into a number of companies as a way of connecting with the customer, announcing specials, and offering coupon codes, and now Booksprice has joined those ranks.

Via your mobile device, a user can now send a direct message to Booksprice (d booksprice) and after that input the ISBN/UPC number and click “SEND.” In a matter of seconds your mobile device will receive a reply with price comparisons for more affordable options. The idea is to provide the user with information on the fly, saving them the hassle of searching for prices across all the sites they would normally have searched through.

Lucy Orbach, co-founder of Booksprice states, “With this new tool, Booksprice goes beyond the online market. In a fast and easy way, it will help the shoppers compare the price of the items from the store where they are to their prices online. Since online shopping involves a shipping cost, the prices shown on our messages will include standard shipping to the US, making it even easier to compare. Now, that the Holiday shopping are here , our direct quote tweets can help shoppers make sure they don’t overpay for their books/DVDs at store.”

To further impress upon its users the usefulness of the Twitter client, users can set up alerts for a certain time frame to announce when the price drops. If you are still unhappy with the prices offered by various vendors, and you’re waiting for another price drop, simply fill out some information and alerts will be sent either to your mobile or desktop Twitter client as soon as it records a drop. When the end date comes, the updates stop, without the users need to go back into the site to stop it. It’s very innovative and useful no doubt for seasonal shopping whether it is for books, DVD’s, music or other items of interest.

I highly recommend this site as an option for your bargain shopping. Chances are you may not go back to your old price hunting sites again!

What’s the Deal With Authority Based Search?

It’s a known fact that if you’re on a social network, there are those that are simply on to connect with a few people, co-workers, family, old friends; there are also those that connect professionally because they are considered industry leaders in their field and they attract a lot of attention when they say something or share something on their profile. I’m not touting to be one of those people, but we all know who they are. Whether you’re in media, finance, law, science, there are people that we follow that people listen to.

Still no matter what level we are in with regards on online status, many of us go through the same facets of life, experience the same problems at the home, at work, in conferences, etc. These topics blur the line of who we are when people do a search for us. Someone doing research or looking to find credible information on a topic might come across someones rant just as easily as they would someones concise opinion on a situation.

It’s this very premise that the idea of authority based searching be something all social networks consider, more specifically, Twitter.

The Low-Down

This most recent cage rattling has resurfaced thanks to Loic Le Meur, and his pleading with Twitter to build in this authority based search function to filter out, for lack of a better word, the rabble. I highly respect Loic and all of his efforts with Le Web ‘08 this year, and despite the backlash it received regarding the finer details, I thought what was UStreamed was quality panel discussions and speakers. Someone of Loic’s capacity does a lot of Internet searching, finding hot trends, finding the right people, and ultimately wants to make every minute he spends doing work count. If you don’t like Loic, substitute anyone you’d rather hear about in his place, the outcome is still the same. He only wants to read what top users are saying because their voice as a wider broadcasting scope as opposed to someone who only has 100 followers.

The question becomes does it matter? Well, the topic of discussion might be the same; there is a reason why someone with 100 followers would have come up on a search of that topic, but in terms of people listening, they just don’t have it. Users with a large established follower base are those that people go to when they are looking for information, thus becoming portals or hubs that can connect the seeker with the information he needs from either the hub or someone in that network of followers. Transfer the idea to real life. Do you take your ideas to someone on a soap box with five people watching, or to someone in a conference room with thousands of people listening?

Is This Discriminating?

So you’re one of those people with 100 followers, you’re reading what Loic is saying, and perhaps have heard others clamour for the same thing, are you offended? Does this make you feel like what you have to say has little worth compared to someone with a larger number of followers saying the same thing? I think it’s silly to think that just because you happen to be discussing the same topic as someone noteworthy, that you rank on the same level as them. It’s like having two degreed people with the same piece of paper, except one has 20+ years of experience and one just got their degree, there is no way they stand on the same ground.

As stated earlier in this post, the idea of authority based searching is nothing new. Technorati does this with its blog search function, filtering in search of sites with merit in terms of page hits and readership. It’s nothing new, but to those that fall out of the category it sounds pompous and conceited.

I disagree, I think there is definitely something to be said about finding the authorities on different topics for the sake of saving time and also ensuring that more people here what you have to say. Personally, I don’t see this happening with Twitter, but perhaps Loic has the power to make things happen. Right now Twitter has seemingly tackled the stability issue, needs to focus on a monetizing method, and who knows what else is happening internally.

I’m curious to hear what the readers have to say. Is there merit to authority based searching, or is this just conceited demands made by those in the top tier of their profession looking only to associate with other top tier professionals?

Sound off!

Crenk Wants You to Show Your Stuff!

Crenk is looking towards building a solid community of fans who not only provide us a sense of community around Crenk, but also have an opportunity to share their thoughts on some of our stories, and interact with other fans of Crenk.

The reason Crenk continues to go on is because of all of our loyal readers. Those new to Crenk are just as important and we welcome you and hope you leave your feedback. No site can stand alone, but together we can share ideas, innovation, and progressive thinking.

That being said, here’s what Crenk is looking for. All of you out there are amazing, smart, and techy people no doubt, otherwise you wouldn’t be here. Share your story with us and show us your stuff. We’re looking for two things!

1. Send in a video or photo of all of your tech. Lay in a bed with it, sit in a chair with it, lay it out on a table and put yourself in it. Hell stand in a tech store and take a photo of all the stuff you want around you. We want to know what our fans are using, loving, and wanting to share with others.

2. We also want readers of our site to share their thoughts on stories. Send a quick video of your thoughts on articles posted on Crenk. No censorship as long as all videos are in good taste and profanity is used when appropriate. Otherwise, share your thoughts good or bad, and if you’d like, predict the future and let us know what you see in the future for a specific topic, product or brand.

Crenk’s Facebook Page just went live, so make sure to upload your files there, and we the staff of Crenk will be reviewing them. Could there be future benefits involved? Hmmmm…good question…what do you think?

Have fun!

BREAKING NEWS: Apple Not Part of MacWorld Expo

My writings, my podcasts, and basically my predictions have come true. Today it was announced that Apple will no longer be a part of MacWorld Expo, the very event that was almost defined by the very company.

“Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, will deliver the opening keynote for this year’s Macworld Conference & Expo, and it will be Apple’s last keynote at the show.”

This is monumental ladies and gentleman, MacWorld was defined as the definitive spot where Steve Jobs, Apple, black turtle necks, and Mac fanboys. Whether it’s the economy, or the reason they state in the press release, it’s not surprising that Apple would make this move.

For those of us that have been around long enough to look fondly on this Expo, this is indeed an end of an era. Without the draw of Apple, what will become of this once dominant conference?

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Xoopit Wins with Yahoo

When Xoopit was first released as an add-on to Gmail, I was one of the first adopters. I typically enjoy adopting newly released applications, and this was no different. I remember installing and enjoying the add-on initially, but over the next couple of days, after really delving into Xoopit, and utilizing it, my interest turned to frustration.

The application basically hijacked my email and it was difficult to move around the intrusive menu bars it installed, and finally I threw in the towel and deleted it. Now, it has become apparent that with Yahoo redesigning their mail platform, Xoopit is set to reach over 275 million Yahoo Mail users around the world. Opportunities like this don’t come around a lot, and Xoopit is bound to achieve new levels of interest with this amazing boon to their application.

This is an opportunity to reinvent itself, and possibly build a profitable application. While talks with Yahoo are open for monetizing ideas, it looks like the pairing will benefit from one another.

If you’re using Yahoo Mail, and when the Xoopit addition comes out, chime in below in the comments section and let us know your thoughts.

Palm Fights to Stay Relevant

Remember Palm?

You know the mobile device kings from long ago, yep, they are still around. Palm has attempted many times to reinvent itself with new products, and over time they’ve had a few hits every now and then. I remember when the Z22 came out, I bought one for my wife. When the Centro came out, I got one for a friend as well. But in the grand scheme of things Palm has remained relatively unknown in the battle of the three giants, Apple, Blackberry, and now Google, in the mobile device wars.

The Palm users I have met are adamant users of the product and will defend it despite its lackluster performance as a whole over the years. Despite the ups and down Palm is now on the verge of becoming a player in the online software arena.

Last night Palm released an online software store in an effort to not get left behind. The interesting moved was launched for all of its devices on both the Windows Mobile and the Palm OS platform, which will enable the company to reach out to a wider market, especially with their inclusion of the Windows Mobile users.

Can Palm remain relevant? Every time I think they are going down, they seem to jump right back into the fray. There’s definitely something to be said of an underdog like Palm. We’ll have to see how this works out for them.

Mac Mini Making A Comeback At MacWorld Expo?

Sometimes the dead just won’t stay dead. Not a zombie flick I’m afraid, but rather a sordid tale of a piece of technology that appeared to have fallen off the face of the earth, now rumored to possibly be making a comeback, the Mac Mini.

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Are Mac Users Ready for A 3D Experience?

Apple has always been known for innovation. They’ve had a lot of failures, but they are one company not afraid to push the boundaries of usability and design. A lot of people are still not on the Mac band-wagon, and there are those that making the conversion as we speak, but as a whole are we really ready for a 3D experience with our OS?

Back on July 11th of this year I reviewed AT&T’s Pogo browser, an attempt for a 3D environment based OS that failed miserably simply because the application was so taxing on the computer’s resources. Having moved on, Pogo has faded into obscurity with little or now usage as far as I know.

Fast forward five months, we now have Apple looking at a 3D environment for Mac OSX. According to the AppleInsider, designers are looking for ways to maximize screen real estate while creating a new experience. While appreciated, earlier attempts have failed, but perhaps it was the execution.

Below is an image that shows the environment, attribution goes to AppleInsider:

Here is another thanks to AppleInsider:

These are just a few of the patent images that Apple has filed, and you can see more on AppleInsider.

What are your thoughts on the 3D environment? Necessary or just eye candy. In my experience, Pogo was not a good option because of how taxing it was on resources, but can Apple overcome that downfall and streamline it to integrate flawlessly into their systems?

TuneUp Cleans iTunes on Mac

Too often music information is ignored once it’s been put into a player. For casual listeners, information like song title, track number, or even album art seems irrelevant in light of the actual song playing. For those of us that truly love our music, enthusiasts of digital music if you will, ensuring that all of our music is organized, labeled, tagged, and played correctly is like an art form.

In the old days music was catalogued by hand, hours spent finding names, album art, and meta-information that music needs in order to show correctly on the player. Those days are long gone, and many small plugins to iTunes, Winamp, and the other major players have come out to assist users with this tedious but necessary task. For those of us that still hang out onto iTunes, TuneUp has finally made its way to the Mac, and it’s really making an impact.

TuneUp uses the Gracenote database of over 90 million songs to correct the information. The interface is simple and offers a bevy of choices for taking care of your digital music library. With simple drag and drops, your music is referenced against the Gracenote library, but information such as release date and genre is even included for all of your tracks to give you the most depth for your query.

The application also plugs you into other social sites like YouTube. By clicking the “Now Playing” tab you are offered other media that is associated with the track you are playing. If the band has any videos, or fans have done something related to the song your listening to, you will be notified through this feature. To offer even more incentive, the “Now Playing” selection will also provide you concert information for your favorite artists, current, concise, and useful.

Now all of this does come at a small price. Installing the plugin will allow you 500 song corrections and 50 album art updates, but afterwards there is a pay model to keep the application funded. For $12 you can get full access to the application for 1 year, but for $20 you get a lifetime membership that will allow you for correct your entire digital library for life.

Critics will say that paying for this service would be useless especially when most users only adjust their library once or twice in a lifetime. I don’t necessarily agree with that, but nevertheless, even if that were true, the addition of the “Now Playing” features is reason enough to keep this little application handy.