Where is all this technology taking us?

Watched this for my New Media in Society class. Thought it was relevant to the blog topic. It's a PBS documentary about our digital nation and how our lives are always wired in to several different screens or digital technology. It discusses our future as a nation after the influence of constant internet connectivity. Enjoy! Discussion to follow...

The White Whale: the Verizon iPhone

The Wall Street Journal has stated that Verizon is making a big announcement tomorrow. "Tech Analysts" have deduced that Verizon will be announcing its joining AT&T in having the iPhone.

None of these rumors have been corroborated by Verizon, Apple or AT&T however.

WSJ -News Hub: How Will Verizon Network Handle iPhone?



However, because Verizon is making this announcement, "analysts" have again concluded that there won't be any new updated iPhone, but Verizon will be getting the same iPhone 4.

Though all of us who  have been waiting years for the iPhone to come to Verizon will want to buy it right away, Apple will only release the new iPhone a few months after Verizon gets the iPhone 4.  After being trapped into a new two year agreement or phone update, we won't be able to get the new updated phone that usually comes out in the summer.  It will be outdated within a matter of months.

Another assumption by analysts is that Verizon may get the mythical white version of the iPhone...the white whale! 

Guess we'll see tomorrow...

LivingSocial like the rest of us

Groupon has some competition from LivingSocial.

I wouldn't really say competition because people can sign up for both of them, but Groupon's business model is spreading.

LivingSocial works just like Groupon in that you receive daily e-mails about steep group discount deals in your area and have a limited amount of time to snatch them up. It even has a similar layout.

However, there are some advantages to being second in existence for improving that business model.

Livingsocial includes deals of the day for areas around you in your e-mail and supplies a Googlemap for the deal of the day's location(s).

It also has LivingSocial Family Edition so parents can do fun things for cheap with the whole gang.

Possibly the best perk though, is the possibility of a completely free deal.

I think this is brilliant because then OF COURSE people are going to share their deals with other people doing some advertising for the business AND LivingSocial.

There is also an Escapes LivingSocial that packages a discount weekend getaway in some pretty cool locations.

LivingSocial takes "finding the best places in your city" to the next level. They have a "356 things to do in ___" list for major cities.  Users can comment on that choice supporting or refuting that claim while recommending somewhere else that is better. It's a cool forum for people to share and discover the cool things in their city.  

Now if only LivingSocial and FourSquare could combine, think of that social media network...

Let me know if you sign up and get any great deals!

A Tumblr full

Ok, so you like taking pictures and blogging and tweeting — what you need is a Tumblr.

A tutorial for your learning pleasure. (p.s. this kid will have my job one day because he's so ahead of the game!)



Its a microblog with a RSS feed like Twitter, but is super easy to update from phones and has much more space than 140 characters. You can upload pictures very easily and essentially have a blog on the go.You can even do an audio post from you phone. How cool!

Here are Tumblr's reasons for Why Everyone Loves Tumblr.

A Tumblr account is called a Tumblelog and people post pictures, re-blogged content, original prose, artwork, music and editorial writing. Also, everything is customizable so your Tumblr is uniquely yours. So if you're a web designer you can create your themes for others to use and get credit for it

It also acts as its own social media aggregater by allowing users to update several social media venues at once. It will automatically import to your Tumblr if you update on another site such as Youtube or Wordpress. It also will link a Tumblr update to your Twitter.

And if you're already an avid Tumblr user, here are 5 Tumblr Extras.

Evidently you can Meetup with people via Tumblr (they're taking advantage of the GPS mapping trend too).

Many people us it as a sort of portpholio for displaying their art, photography or videos.

Let me know if you have a Tumblr what you use it for!

No Deal for Google

Groupon decided to reject Google's offer of $5.3 billion.

According to Chicago Breaking Business, Groupon is considering going public but not until 2011 if it does indeed happen.

Groupon's presence in 35 countries worldwide with more than 3,000 employees and an annual revenue of $500 million is an impressive thing for a start-up business.

Google could have really benefited from these lucrative local/interpersonal advertising clusters all over the world. It also doesn’t have to create its own carbon copy of the deals site. Thirdly, it can ride Groupon’s instant brand recognition.

There are several reasons why a company might not want to sell out. The founders of Groupon have discovered a new flourishing working model and could want to see it all the way through regardless of how much money is dangled in front of them. Or they could just be holding out for a higher number.

But Groupon is expanding and hiring more employees this year, so whatever happens, Groupon is not going away.

G(oogle)rupon Update

Forbes magazine named Groupon the fastest growing company ever. Again, no wonder Google wanted it.

Evidently the bid for Groupon has increased to $5-$6 Billion and Groupon is "considering it." That means they have other offers. This company is making sure it picks the best offer because they've already brushed off Yahoo's earlier $3 billion offer.

But neither party is talking so right now everything is mere speculation. I'll keep you updated when more surfaces.

For your entertainment, here is an article from PaidContent.org explaining "Why Google Buying Groupon Is a Bad Idea."

A Different Kind of Bump: Bump.com

Also known as "Facebook for your car" by James Madison University's The Breeze.

Essentially Bump.com allows you to register your e-mail to your license plate.  And they advertise that if you say, leave your lights on, or your meter is about to run out, or some cute girl/guy thinks you're cute, they can e-mail you.


Welcome to BUMP.com from BUMP on Vimeo.

You can send a bump to their account on the site, to an e-mail, and even texts with smart phones. Of course you can also connect your Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Bump.com is bringing your car into the mix of social media as a way to identify yourself. It is still in the testing phases, but is making some waves.


Here's a video from Bloomberg News about Bump.com


Bloomberg Report on BUMP.com 2, October 18, 2010 from BUMP on Vimeo.


I think this is a baaaad way to go.  Road rage is a real problem, and imagine if people could now really express how they feel instantly after someone cuts them off.  This is just looking to make more stalkers without any privacy settings. People are more likely to rant than warn about an empty meter.

If you can get an invitation to be in the trial, let me know how it works though!