Archive for September, 2010

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Yahoo Becoming a Strong Contender in the TV Battle

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010

As TV moves more and more into the Web world, everyone’s trying to get their hands on it. Count Yahoo as the latest to call dibs in the OS TV battle.

Yahoo has just announced a new partnership with Toshiba, which will feature Yahoo TV widgets on several new Toshiba HDTV models. This is in addition with other partnerships Yahoo has made with some of the biggest television providers in the world, including Samsung, Sony, Vizio, LG and more.

These widgets will provide users with direct access to over 50,000 entertainment sources through Yahoo. These widgets can be a part of set-top boxes, media players and Blu-Ray players alike. Yahoo is hoping that manufacturers and consumers alike prefer the Yahoo offering over the seemingly dominant players of Google and Apple. Not to mention other set-top box manufacturers like Boxee.

But with more and more of their traditional offering slipping away, Yahoo is clearly committed to trying and make this online TV venture a success.

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Posted in Apple, Google, Yahoo | Comments Off

Google Instant and the SEO Evolution

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010

Once again, people are freaking out about what the new iteration of search engine optimization will look like. What was the instigator this time? Google Instant, which allows Google users to see their search recommendations evolve as you type in your search entry.

It’s cool, but how will it affect search engine optimization – the process by which companies optimize their site to make sure Google understands that their product offering matches what the user is searching for?

Well, let’s talk about what it’s not. It’s not the death of SEO. Here’s the reality. Google Instant will probably change people’s search habits to some degree. It’s already changed mine. You see Google working as you’re typing in your search. And you make slight adjustments to your original search intention based on what Google is spewing back.

The end game doesn’t change. Users are still going to end up on a page they’re used to now. Odds are they’ll first pick one of the top search results, or select a persuasive sponsored ad. But keep in mind that many users type with the “hunt-and-peck” method. They’re not even looking at the screen when they type, so they’re definitely not going to be adjusting their searches mid-stream. Google Instant won’t affect these people at all.

The one part of the advertising game that may change is advertisers who utilize a CPM (cost-per-impressions) model. Does a one-second impression of your sponsored link – before the user keeps typing and the results switch,  - count as an impression?

Some search terms may be affected as well. Certain long-tail key phrases may lose their relevance, if a user decides to click-through one of the early results before they finish typing in their original phrase. It will be important to keep track of your keywords over the next few months and see how Google Instant is affecting this traffic. The game is evolving. But, it’s the same game.

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Posted in Google, Search-Engine-Optimization | Comments Off

Internet Explorer 9 Now Available for Download

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010

Let’s be honest. Internet Explorer has been winning the browser war for the past decade simply based on their first-to-market strategy. Most people learned on it. Most people stay with what they’ve learned.

But lately, Microsoft has become eager to embrace aesthetics and ease of use – targeting the average user and not just the programmer. And you can see that with Internet Explorer 9. They’re even releasing the new browser under the domain name, www.beautyoftheweb.com. They don’t want to be Grandpa Clunky anymore.

And with this new release, they just might change user opinion. Because reports are showing that not only is Internet Explorer 9 faster than IE 8, but faster than Mozilla Firefox as well. (IE 9 still loses in speed tests to Chrome, Safari and Opera.)

Users can now pin sites to the Windows 7 taskbar, just like the new Google Chrome allows. And your pinned sites can actually ping you back, when the site has been updated. Sort of like an in-dash Google Reader alternative? IE 9 also supports HTML5 and will be compatible with the latest state-of-the-art Web experiences as interactive media evolves. The one trick, you must have Windows 7 or Windows Vista with Service Pack 2 to run Internet Explorer 9. It is not compatible with Microsoft XP.

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Posted in firefox, Google, google-chrome, HTML5, Microsoft, Search-Engine-Optimization | Comments Off

Who Needs Doctors When You Have Google Health?

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010

Google Health has been around for a couple years now, with little fanfare. But, Google seems committed to the project, perhaps assuming that the digitization of medical records may lead hospitals to want to utilize the user base and system that Google has been setting up.

But, what’s the real user purpose of it? Well, many people want a central place to store their medical information. For their own record keeping. And to share it with others. But now, Google Health is adopting brand new features that allow users to better track their own goals and strides toward better health.

A new online dashboard makes it easier for users to organize information, and input their daily experiences. You can easily track goals and instantly see how you’re faring on your journey toward better health. You can also custom track any specific goals, such as sleep, exercise, caffeine moderation or a pregnancy.

Google Health also now integrates with several partners, including FitBit, CardioTrainer to automatically import your progress into your Google Health tracking system.

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I’m a Kindle. And I’m an iPad.

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010

The Amazon Kindle recently released their own version of Apple’s “I’m a Mac, and I’m a PC” ad. Except this time, Apple’s on the losing end of it. The commercial, embedded above, depicts the difficulty of reading an e-book on the iPad in direct sunlight.

This is a legitimate complaint many iPad users have. And so, the commercial is probably an effective one. If you’re simply looking for an e-book reader, it doesn’t make sense to pay 4 times more for an inferior quality product. But, if Apple decided to make a commercial highlighting the Kindle’s deficiencies when compared to the iPad, it would be a joke. Because they’re not the same product. Can you make fun of the Kindle for not being able to browse the Web? For not having apps? For not having color?

Bottom line, if you’re looking for a great e-book reader, go with a Kindle. An iPad is a whole lot more.

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Posted in Amazon, Apple, ipad, Search-Engine-Optimization | Comments Off

Apple Reportedly Acquires HDR Photography Company

Tuesday, September 21st, 2010

It looks like Apple has acquired a small company, called IMsense, known for their technology related to High Dynamic Range photography. This type of photography is a feature of the latest iOS from Apple, and a feature that Steve Jobs touted the next-generation of iPad would have.

Now, we say “it looks like” because Apple hasn’t made a formal announcement. But, the company was acquired by “an undisclosed trade buyer” this past July. IMsense’s Web presence has since been taken down, save for a few Flickr photo examples of its eye-fidelity technology’s ability to draw out hidden features in photography.

The IMsense app has also been removed from Apple’s App Store, and recent UK government filings point to three Apple executives becoming the directors of IMsense. So, the evidence is evident, whether Apple ever admits it. And it’s exciting to see how IMsense’s technology will help develop Apple products in the future.

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5 Reasons Why Google Chrome Makes Switching Browsers Worth It

Monday, September 20th, 2010

Your techie friends have probably been talking about Google Chrome for a while. Why it’s better. Why you should switch. And perhaps it’s their insistence that makes you not want to switch.

But, honestly, after 2 years since it’s original release, Google Chrome is definitively the best browser out there. In terms of speed, reliability and aesthetics. Plus, with a growing extensions list (still behind Firefox’s, but more intuitive to use), here are five reasons why it’s time to make your techie friends happy and make the switch.

1. Multiple home pages.

It’s silly to think you’re just going to hang out on your home page throughout your entire Web experience. You’re going to check your e-mail. You’re going to check your stocks. You’re going to check your fantasy team. You’re going to utilize search. So, why not have all of these pages automatically load upon start-up? Well, now you can.

2. Pin tabs on the browser.

This is an awesome new feature. And Microsoft is already incorporating it within their new Internet Explorer. What pinning” does is allow you to save room on your tabs, by shrinking the tab down to the size of the favicon icon itself. Your browsing experience will become instantly easier, and keeping track of your tabs has never been less confusing.

3. “App” your favorite sites.

This is a weirder one. Chrome is getting on the app train and letting you save individual sites as quick-link icons you can access directly from your desktop or menu bar. The benefit of this is that the site will open in a separate window without navigation, so it feels like an app. Some people love this. Judge for yourself.

4. Favicon-only bookmarks bar.

This offers the same benefit of “pinning” your tabs to the menu bar. Simplify your bookmarks menu and fit more on your toolbar.

5. Save your settings.

Sync up your Chrome settings, bookmarks and more so that you can have the same browsing experience at home, at work and anywhere else.

And all of these cool features that make browsing with Chrome simply more fun than Firefox or Internet Explorer ignore the most important reasons of speed and reliability, which Chrome also holds the trump card with. Bottom line: Make the switch. Google Chrome is awesome, and getting better by the month.

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Posted in firefox, Google, google-chrome, Search-Engine-Optimization | Comments Off

Washington Redskins Utilize FourSquare

Monday, September 20th, 2010

A lot of businesses talk about utilizing FourSquare. Simply to be an innovation pioneer. Worried about staying ahead of the next big thing. But, the Washington Redskins are actually using FourSquare’s GPS check-in capabilities to enhance their customer experience.

The Redskins have recently launched a location-based campaign to try and encourage fans to check-in to FedEx Field, where the Redskins play, as well as several Redskins bars in the D.C. area. Successful check-ins are rewarded with an exclusive digital Washington Redskins badge as well as tips from the team. But, there is also a grand prize, which includes a tailgate party, loge tickets and pre-game field passes to a Redskins game.

We’ll keep you up-to-speed on the results of the campaign, as well as how other brands and businesses are using FourSquare and other GPS check-in services to enhance their customer experience.

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Posted in GPS, mobile-marketing, Smartphones | Comments Off

Sports Fans Increase Dependence on Real-Time Internet

Friday, September 17th, 2010

A man sitting on his couch on Sunday afternoon. Drinking a bud. Watching sports…all on his laptop.

That’s the reality now. Because TV can’t keep up. And it’s fallen to #2 in popularity in terms of what people consider the best resource for sports-related news and information. This, according to a new survey from Burst Media.

Because the Internet is simply faster. You don’t have to hope the TV knows what you’re looking for. With the Internet, you can proactively find it. Scores and stats. News and commentary. Videos and even live games. And as fantasy sports continue to grow, I wonder if demand for sports entertainment could go up at the very same time demand for giant big-screen TVs goes down?

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Google Earth Gets Cooler and Even Creepier

Friday, September 17th, 2010

The newest Google Earth site is now live! And prepare yourself to be creeped out. Because this isn’t your grandma’s globe. This stuff is crazy. 3D modeling. Images. Videos. Tours. Maps. Tutorials. All within amazingly high-definition images of Earth’s grandeur.

Since Google Earth’s launch five years ago, many people simply used the site to see the latest satellite image of their house, and thought it was interesting to see their car in the driveway. Some more adventurous explorers sought out Earth’s natural treasures. Mt. Everest. The Great Barrier Reef. The Great Wall of China. For an up close and personal view never before possible.

But now it’s even crazier. Because users are now creating 3D models within Google Earth. To make Google Earth more closely resemble real Earth. Cities are beginning to look like cities – at least Pixar-created cities with Street-view stalker capabilities. Educators. Teachers. Scientists. All engaged with the future learning potential of this creepy technology.

And there’s more. Google Earth is now officially named incorrectly. Because you can now Google Moon and Google Space as well. We’ll see if any Martians end up suing Google for privacy issues.

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