Honestly, I’m still not sure that I get Foursquare, but I’ll take the free coffee.
Archive for the 'Technology' Category
It’s good to be the Mayor
January 25, 2010Space Station Escape Pod
January 24, 2010Looks like it’s built by Fisher Price. The project was never completed. The pod is designed to carry up to seven people back to Earth.
Tablets in ’10
December 24, 2009http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/23/2010-the-year-of-the-tablet/?ref=technology
It’s coming…
[T]he icing on the cake comes from a current senior employee inside Apple. When one of my colleagues here asked if the rumors of the Apple tablet were true, and when we could expect such a device, the response from his source was, “I can’t really say anything, but, let’s just say Steve is extremely happy with the new tablet.”
Yet another recently departed Apple employee tipped me: “You will be very surprised how you interact with the new tablet.”
…and I want one.
Example of friend to friend “ad” on Foursquare
December 10, 2009
Some gardens should be walled
December 10, 2009
The new privacy settings on Facebook are out. For me, a big part of the value of Facebook is that it is kept private (it’s the place where I will share family photos). I’m wondering how many people will modify the new default privacy settings (I’m guessing most won’t). Here’s a screenshot from my account with the recommended privacy settings (e.g., status updates are public by default).
I think that it was a strange move by Facebook to default such a broad range of privacy settings as public (although I can understand, from a business perspective why the decision was made). Given that so many setting were changed to public, it feels like a bit of a privacy bait-and-switch move.
Foursquare and Political Corruption
December 2, 2009I’ve been playing around with Fourquare (the location based social network). It’s certainly fun. The really interesting thing is the potential for local advertising. Apparently, Foursquare is receiving tons of requests from local businesses (e.g., coffee shops, restaurants, etc.).
As I was “checking in” at Cafe’ Umbria, I received a special notice for Sahagun Chocolates (see screenshot below). The Mayor (person who has checked in the most) receives a sundrop or americano drink when checking in).
I decided to drop by. The owner confirmed that the Mayor (Jen, of the great food blog UnderTheTableWithJen) receives a free drink every time she checks in.
(Interestingly, Sahagun isn’t paying anything to advertise on Foursquare. The owner called and they “set it all up for her.”)
This type advertisement/offer is a little odd, of course given that it is only available to the Mayor. An offer like this creates a strange incentive to simply check in each day (you don’t need to actually go to the store). The Mayor, in this scenario, becomes permanent. Do we need term limits? 
Ultimately, when real world offers become associated with the competitive process baked into Foursquare, the incentive to cheat starts to become a factor. Currently, in most cases, being Mayor of a location is simply fun (who really cares?). Better offers might simply provide a first time customer discount (e.g., a free chocolate when you check in your first time).
Note (12/3): Since writing this, I’ve noticed a few other local merchant offers that make a bit more sense (e.g., discount after checking in four times). There are great possibilities here.
I’m pretty sure that I would die if I used this app
November 25, 2009WIKITUDE Drive application demo video. Pretty cool. Pretty sure I’d die.
New AOL logo. Why does this feel sad?
November 23, 2009From The New York Times:
A new brand identity for AOL, when it is spun off from Time Warner, replaces the letters AOL with “Aol.” — complete with a period.
Crazy Like a Fox (Network)
November 23, 2009The debate is raging over Murdoch’s plan to “not give away” his content. I will admit that my first reaction was that the old codger was playing in deep right field. However, I’m starting to come around.
It will take more than Murdoch’s unilateral action. He will need to bring the other news organizations along. If Bing is willing to pay for exclusive search access, this becomes pretty interesting. In fact, in theory, consumers might not need to pick up the content bill (although I’m guessing we will still be asked to pay somthing to access the “cable network of online news”). However, Bing isn’t the sole solution to the news industry’s woes.
As a news junkie, I will switch to Bing if that’s where I need to go to search for news. Furthermore, when push comes to shove, I will pay for online news, just as I pay for print.
Testing WordPress app for iPhone
November 21, 2009I’m testing the WordPress iPhone app. I give it a thumbs up.
