Fabulous Spellos Brothers

Twitter & Rhymes with Doomberg

Hi Gang...

What do you get when you combine Google AdSense, a hot keyword (Twitter), and an incumbent mayoral candidate who has oodles of money?  Domination of social media political placement in a campaign, you say?  You're probably very right.

In the next few days, take notice of websites with a heavy Twitter presence that uses Google AdSense (my site, it appears, is one of these).  You will frequently see an ad for a candidate, who's name I won't mention so that it doesn't give more fuel to the campaign...however, his name does rhyme with Doomberg.  Here's a link to a blog that confirms this.

So...you like the new politics...social media style?  Does it give an unfair advantage to those who can overbid on keywords, or does it level the playing field?  Either case, I think it's here to stay.  However, it may make me rethink if I really want AdSense on my site.

Jim

More Google-licious - Google Maps Navigation on Android

Hi gang...

It is a seriously cool time for new tech announcements.  Wave, Raindrop, Droid...and now Google Maps Navigation on the Android 2 phones.  Free GPS, connected to the cloud with Google Maps,on your Android smart phone.

As always, here's a video for you to see & learn more.

I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Jim

Walking (Tweeting/Emailing?) Between the Raindrops

Hi Gang...

The "let's change email" wars are on!  On the heels of the still in preview Google Wave, Mozilla (makers of FIrefox browser) is introducing Raindrop.  The idea is to reinvent email to be able to better separate personal from bulk communications, as well as integrating social media.

Here's a video (a bit geeky, but it's not too dry) about what to expect from Raindrop when it is released (when is that going to be, anyway?).

Jim

Twitterfountain

Hi gang...

There's more and more usage of Twitter at events.  If you're considering it, or looking to embed it onto a blog or webpage, consider Twitterfountain.  Here's an example of how it works, using my tweets.  It can also pull from pictures tagged in Flickr.  Great to use with your event hashtag (consider posting it on your website for the conversation to be watched before, during & after the event).

The look & feel of it is customizable.  Really nice tool.

Jim

A Reason I Have to Get an iPhone/iTouch....Really....Me???

Hi Gang...

If you know me, you know how it pains me to write that Blog title.  But...the musician side of me is actually salivating over the product from MooCowMusic (yes, that's the company's name).  You can play guitar, bass, piano, right on (say it, say it) your iPhone (and I haven't found it for Android yet, which is what's really irking me).

Wanna see it?  Take a look.

Waaaaah.  I want one!

Jim

In Case of Emergency

Thanks to my wife (and some great folks at her school) for telling me about this.  Did you know...that to assist first responders in case of any critical situation requiring medical attention, you should have ICE as a contact in your mobile phone, with the number of the person they should contact.  It was tough finding a website that spells this out, however, thanks to the great Wikipedia, here's a link to their page which confirms this.  And here is a short You Tube video that gives some more good info.

I'm glad I found out about this, and you know that I'll put that into my mobile phone.  You should too...please.

Jim

Let's Do The Wave!

No, no, no, not that awful 80's baseball stadium pseudo-stretching exercise, but Google's version of the Wave.  If you haven't heard, this fall, Google will release Wave, their new tool for collaboration and communication on the web (their words).  Some folks are calling it "real-time email".

Hard to fathom?  Check out this video from cnet (always a great source of tech info) that helps explain how it will work.

It should be out in beta form this fall.  I, for one, can't wait!

Jim

Searching for it all

Hi Gang...

Some new search functionality to mention.  Sometime this month (May) will be the release of WolframAlpha, a search engine that is trying to allow you not only to get information (results) from a search, but have a search engine that will figure things out for you.  Conceptually, it's quite interesting, and if it is even marginally successful, it may revolutionize search engines.  Check out their blog from March to get a bit more insight about it.     

Natch, Google isn't dormant, either.  Google Options has been added to search results pages.  You'll find the Show Options link beneath the search term you entered at the top of the page.  Features of this include grouping results by date, timeline, and using their Wonder Wheel (doesn't that sound like a superhero?).  Check out this video from the Official Google blog to learn about these tools.  The video is within the text, about 6 paragraphs into the blog.

Also on Google's horizon is Google Squared, which many folks feel is their response to WolframAlpha.  While not officially released yet, a great unofficial Google blog, Google Blogoscoped, offers a good explanation and some screen shots.   Of course, if you just want to see a video, here's one that's been posted on You Tube to show & explain what Google Squared is all about.

And you thought search was just about entering a few words in a box.

Jim

Android App of the Day (week, month, even year?)

Hi Gang...

Check out the video on Shop Savvy, the Android App that scans & comparison shops products in real time. 

The future is seriously now!

Jim

The Sixth Sense is Here!

Sometimes, words don't do a concept justice.  So, just watch this video from this year's TED conference, taking technologies like Microsoft Surface to a whole new level.



I'm in awe of what people are working on today!

Jim