Tag Archives: robert+scoble

15 Oct

The Impact and Future of Micro-publishing

By Miiko Mentz

For most of us micro-publishing tools such as Twitter, Seesmic and Brightkite are part of our daily lives, but micro-blogging, micro-publishing, micro-journalism, micro-pr or whatever you want to call it is still being defined and in its infancy. Some mainstream companies are beginning to use it as another avenue of communication and conversation, but it has not experienced widespread adoption among the masses or by most major companies, yet.

However, many believe that we will see it further evolve and gain in popularity. Funding may slow in 2009, but innovation certainly will not; and I’m sure 2009 will bring a host of new micro-publishing applications and tools.

At Blog World Expo last month there was a Citizen Journalism track that included a session titled “Microjournalism: Breaking News in 140 Words or Less,” where Laura Fitton, Robert Scoble and Doc Searls discussed the impact that micro-publishing, such as Twitter, has had and where it might be headed.

Micro-publishing apps that offer location and video capabilities are two areas that Scoble thinks could gain in popularity and adoption over the next year the way that Twitter has in the past two years. He uses a client called Twinkle on his iPhone, which lets him show his location in relation to other Twitter users who are within two, five or ten miles from his location.

“I can see a lot happening with location. I can see a lot happening with video in the next couple years, ” said Scoble. “Seesmic just came out with the ability to use your cell phone to have (video) conversations with people all over the world the way Twitter let’s you have conversations all over the world.”

For those of you who weren’t at Blog World Expo, or you were but missed this session, Bub.blicio.us Reporter Ashley Biever caught up with Scoble and Searls after their microjournalism session and talked to them about their thoughts on micro-publishing and where it might be headed. Check out our interview with them.

5 Aug

Introducing the Conversation Prism

by Brian Solis

Over at PR 2.0, I just rolled out The Conversation Prism, with a little help (well a lot actually) from Jesse Thomas of JESS3.

A visual evolution of the Social Media Starfish originally introduced by Robert Scoble and later modified by Darren Barefoot, The Conversation Prism helps chart online conversations between the people that populate communities as well as the networks that connect the Social Web. It’s our contribution to a new era of media education and literacy – feel free to use and share.

Connect with me on Twitter, Jaiku, LinkedIn, Tumblr, Pownce, Plaxo, FriendFeed, Plurk or Facebook.

12 Jul

iPhone 3G Debuts to Accolades and Outages

by Brian Solis

Line outside of Apple store in San Francisco 6:30 am PST

Last year, the iPhone was thrust into the spotlight and into our culture forever changing the business of mobile phones and the design of consumer electronics across every product landscape. Scores of anxious consumers lined up outside of Apple retail stores around the country days in advance of its official introduction hoping for the opportunity to be among the first to own and experience the “Jesus Phone.”

I think we all know the rest of the story. For those who want to relieve 6.29.07, here are pictures of the Palo Alto and San Francisco debuts.

Fast forward one year and 11 days later, the iPhone 3G – version 2.0 of the beloved extension to our inner soul, made its debut and the world watched and again thousands of fans lined up in anticipation.

I woke up extra early on 7.11.08, grabbed the camera and headed over to San Francisco to capture the excitement.

This year however, the lines started much closer to the launch over last year. That’s to be expected though, simply because the upgrades, while important, weren’t as compelling as the introduction of the lifestyle enhancing and changing iPhone 1.0.

The number 1, 2, and 3 persons in line set up camp on Wednesday. Dale, #1, a mobile marketing consultant, enjoyed the comforts of true camping, complete with tent, air matrix, blankets, and a chair.

Patrick Scoble with #2 JP Kelly (far right) and #3 Ilan Fehler

When I arrived, I was greeted by an excited and spirited community of Apple enthusiasts. It was lively and embracing. I said hello to good friends Robert Scoble, MG Siegler, Dylan Tweney, Adam Jackson and made new friends in the process.

Sam Levin, Patrick Scoble, Robert Scoble, Nick Starr, Tyler Howarth, Dominic Sagolla, James Warne

As 8 a.m. approached, the line stretched around the corner and was roughly 250-300 people long. An interesting side note however, is that the line was only 10-12 people deep until 4′ish a.m. the day of the launch. The VentureBeat team distributed doughnuts and Apple employees poured coffee for those in line.

Shortly before the doors opened, that drape that blocked our view of the inside of the store fell to reveal a staged positioning of apple employees applauding those in line. It was quite brilliant and it recharged the fatigued, but giddy iPhone loyalists who were more than ready to satisfy their quest.

As the doors opened, employees handed out high fiver’s for everyone. It would be another 45 minutes until Dale, Ilan and JP would emerge having successfully completed the transaction of buying and paying for the iPhone 3G – AT&T and Apple systems were crushed during new sales and activations as customers rushed stores from the East Coast to the West Coast.

From here, I’ll let the pictures tell the rest of the story: