From the category archives:
Ever wonder how people are using the internet? Who is using it the most? Thanks to Jesse Thomas, we not have that answer!
By September 2009, there were 1.73 Billion internet users worldwide! Are you as shocked as we are? Check out the video statistics below, and let us know your thoughts!
JESS3 / The State of The Internet from JESS3 on Vimeo.
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Is Google working on a television initiative? There are reports of a possible deal between Google, Sony and Intel, which would be towards the creation of a device that connects to the internet and runs Google’s Android platform. Turning television sets into computers by default, and running a platform that is also in the process of penetrating the mobile market is one way in which traditional media can regain a foothold.
Is this the way in which television finally contends with the internet? By joining forces? For the past few years, the differentiating lines amongst consumer electronics has been getting fainter. The functions of cameras, television sets, radios, computers and cell phones are being fitted into a single device, unifying our multiple media access points.
Finding a way to incorporate more on-demand media options, which can be run through the internet, is another monetization option for brands. Finding another way into the homes of consumers, traditional and new media sectors can act as targeted ad channels. The continued support of these distribution channels will lend some relief to areas such as broadcast television. Cable and satellite companies have been prepping for this era for some time as well, moving into bundled packages providing several data and communication services.
All of this enables the television to run the internet as well as a computer, as well as additional platforms upon which applications can be run. In doing so, the application economy will be encouraged as it expands into yet another media sector.
Interesting stuff, to say the least. Yet Google’s platform is still relatively young and unregulated. On mobile phones, Android still has its own shortcomings when compared to standards such as Apple’s platform. Open-source, Android comes with a slew of potential pitfalls when considering its expansion at this stage in its development. As Apple provides an example for how consumers may react to certain content, the unrestricted accessibility of certain content through Android is a concern Google will need to deal with.
Nevertheless, it seems important for Google to continue to create a presence across many consumer electronics. Finding a way to gt those devices to talk to each other is how Google continues to become a unifying factor for consumers, steadily making it a viable option for an application economy.
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Apple sold 120,000 iPads the day it opened its doors for pre-sale orders, making the new member of the all-star device lineup already a commercial hit. Yet the revelation of Apple’s battery replacement policy has stirred a bit of controversy, particularly as the device hasn’t even reached the hands of consumers yet.
The battery replacement policy will charge iPad owners $99 to swap out the device’s battery, upon which time they will also receive a new iPad. The policy is similar to the iPhone battery replacement system, save for the fact that your iPhone battery is the only thing that gets replaced. But the debate about whether or not the customers should pony up the cash to have their iPad replaced is of concern.
Several of Apple’s devices have limiting battery options, as they cannot be replaced on your own. The modified verbiage on the iPad, however, has raised a few brows. Compared to the jargon used for the iPhone battery replacement, it appears Apple may be expecting some issues with the batteries of its upcoming and heavily anticipated device.
One issue with the policy is that replaced devices could be refurbished. This is a relatively green (economic and otherwise) method for Apple, but should the company be charging so much for that process? The other issue is that your data will be lost, so backup of your iPad will be necessary for anything you want carried over to your replacement device.
The biggest issue, however, may be the iPad battery itself. Already the expectations around it have been compromised, so consumers and pundits alike will be looking for problems. The service fee, too, is a matter of debate, especially as the recall nation seeks retribution for faulty products. From Toyota to Pringles, the consumer trust level is waning for a few companies out there. With all the hype around Apple’s latest, will the iPad be something else to be distrusted?
If there really are battery problems with the iPad, consumers may be leary to purchase something with a known problem. Especially as they are made aware of the battery replacement policy beforehand, some consumers may want to wait until the next generation of the iPad all together.
Unless the iPad has major issues with its battery, I doubt this will become a major issue for sales or the legal system. Nevertheless, it’s important for Apple to protect its brand. Doing so will ensure the health of its media-changing potential with the iPad device itself.
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There is no limit to the quantity of iPhone apps out there. From apps that make silly noises to apps that calculate your tip on a dinner out, the selection is almost limitless. A new app, Zoetica, launched today offers a solution for those interested in the nonprofit world (an interest of mine). The Zoetica iPhone app aggregated nonprofit tech and social change blog posts, making sure the content is at your fingertips at all times. Continuing with the nonprofit theme, the application is free of cost in the iTunes store.
What makes Zoetica different than other news aggregators is that Beth Kanter, Social Media and Nonprofit expert, hand selects the blog feeds that are ultimately aggregated into the app, ensuring the user will receive the most relevant information in the space. The app was created through a partnership with AppMakr and is in itself an example of the possible use of such a tool for a nonprofit. The service makes app development possible for groups with limited budgets and limited tech skills, something many nonprofits can use. AppMakr offers different price points that allow for almost any marketing budget to include an app in the plan.
For more information about the application as well as possible uses for nonprofits, please visit Beth Kanter’s blog
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TechCrunch just reported that Twitter’s geolocation features are finally turned on, just in time for you to find everyone at SXSW. My own geolocation features on my Twitter account don’t seem to be active yet, forcing me to borrow a screenshot from TechCrunch (thanks guys!). As you can see, there’s a tiny blue marker that, when clicked, expands into the tweet-location.
Ok, I find geolocation on my Tweets a little creepy, but it’s the sort of thing I can see turning on for big events (like SXSW) and conferences. But for me, it certainly won’t be an everyday occurrence (or so I say now).
How do you turn on geolocation? For quite some time, there’s been a geolocation option in your profile settings. I imagine you just tick the On box. As TechCrunch said, “While Twitter’s geolocation feature has been live through its API since late last year, there was no sign of integration into the main twitter.com site until now.” It’s worth mentioning that Facebook just announced it will start rolling out its own location features next month as well (via Mashable).
Additionally, Twitter has made a subtle but fun change to its user interface. (Come to think of it, it’s also a change that means I need to update every screenshot in a lot of my course offerings.) We’re no longer Updating, now we’re truly Tweeting!
Update: Well, apparently Twitter changed it back to Update. 
Come on, Twitter – we liked Tweet!
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