Entries Tagged as 'Technology'
More Appstore Apps
On the iPod for Twitter I have been mainly using the Twitterific app which is a good iPod app that follows the lead of their Adobe Air-based apps. I have been a little less on Twitter lately. Twittelator is also a little fun for seeing from where people are Twitting.
I have been finding that Pageonce is kind of nice and useful (once you set it up from a computer). Using it as a quick look for certain types of financial information can be a time saver particularly if you are waiting for something to hit your accounts.
I am looking at SugarSync as a way to synchronize across a few different computers (and be able to look at the files from iPod). I have been using Mobile Me with limited success, and I am hoping that SugarSync will be a little better.
Datacase is one that I have downloaded but not yet played with very much. It allows you to transfer files to/from the iPod Touch or iPhone. It uses the device as a little mini file server. Quite a unique solution.
Technorati Tags:
social, appstore, datacase, ipod touch, SugarSync, twitterific, twitter
Bright Kite
I have been trying out Bright Kite for a while now. If it were not for the fact that it has some issues with Verizon (Verizon causing the problems apparently), I might be using it more. It is a little bit like a location-based Twitter. You can set it through SMS, e-mail or web-based interface to set your location at various degrees of resolution depending on the level of relationship (Friend, Anyone, etc.)
I think it is really best to be used in a fairly populated area or at a conference-type of environment. By posting location you can see who else might be or was at your location. However, it is useful to see where people you know might be, particularly if you want to get in touch. For example, if a person you are tracking is in London as opposed to San Francisco.
There is a sense by some that this is “stalker-ware” but I think this is only the case in general. You are the one that sets the position, and if you are even going to bother to set your location. Like Twitter, it is essentially a micro-blogging platform with location added in — Bright Kite pushes the idea of setting location without a GPS. While I would not like to “stalk” my friends it is a good way to get a sense of where they are if I want to get in touch.
I have a few invites if anyone would like one.
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is setting up as a major theme here at Startup Camp.
Sun and Amazon
Jonathan Schwartz (Sun) has pre-announced that Amazon and Sun are going to make some big announcements at JavaOne.
Twitter & Pownce
Does Pownce really have something special? Or is it just benefitting from Twitter’s growing pains? I do not think that Pownce is a world beater but it is benefitting from Twitter’s issues, it has some interesting value adds, and is starting to get a little bit of community. It does not have the ubiquity of Twitter or the tools. Twitter will survive their growth, but does Pownce get a needed bump?
Yahoo! in Play
All the talk about Microsoft or News Corp. acquiring Yahoo has to do with maybe creating a Twitter or Pownce clone (among other things). I am not sure why they would not just buy Twitter or Pownce. But with Yahoo you are getting a lot of stuff that Microsoft cannot seem to do well (Sell ads, get serious traction in search and IM, etc.).
Interesting development in yahoo ordeal.
Also News Corp is more information-based and think will play to Yahoo’s strengths a little bit better. Even if it is MSFT I think strategic partnerships make more sense.
Can Microblogging Cause a Shift?
It seems that there is a mini-storm, particularly in Social Media circles in the area of microblogging. Microblogging is essentially small updates for readers that fit in a relatively short space (read: words or characters). Twitter, Pownce, Plaxo and Facebook are all examples of microblogging platforms or have them as part of their web app or service.
One might say, “why don’t I just have a lot of short posts”. And one could do this. However, micorblogs offer something more, a kind of community where one can interact with friends, etc. I would liken it to a town square or maybe coffee house or diner. You may run into people you know or strike up a conversation. And people may drift in and out. It is not IM, but you can do it from anywhere — yet it is dynamic.
It is a unique way for people to transmit their values in real time. And to a group of people…Maybe you could think of it as a mob values aggregator!
Kindle or Kindling
It is definitiely interesting how the Kindle seems to be peaking the interest of bloggers, and usually in a positive sense. See this video.
Anil Dash has written a pretty good piece on his thoughts about the Kindle and some of its potential impact. I think what has struck me is that how much it is similar to the iPhone/iPod touch/Starbucks product bundle. Obviuosly they are looking at somewhat different markets, but the distribution model is similar and it is does not take a rocket scientist to see the cross-over and possible competition.
Tags: kindle, ipod, itouch, books, reading, music
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eBay is not social?!?
I find it very odd that eBay is not more social (see Why eBay Isn’t More Social - Forbes.com). It seems like they are almost doing too little too late. However, I am not sure that it is too late. There does seem to be a little bit of correcting going on there. With taking the charges for the Skype acquisition (suggests that they not integrated as much as they would like). They have added the home “pages” that buyers and sellers can create, and also the Neighborhoods (areas that people can discuss on similar subjects). I would think they would have been much farther along at this point. Maybe they can get it in gear and try getting more community focus and sharing both inside and outside the company.
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