Subscribe via Email
Subscribe via RSSArchive for the ‘cell phones’ Category
iPhone Art, iPad Ease & the Mobile Revolution
Friday, March 25th, 2011
Tonight I’m doing my first “art show” as an iPhone artist. It’s a small, private showing amongst just a few other creative people. I’m sure it’s not a career “game changer.” But, it’s certainly fun to have some images that I created with just my iPhone (and a variety of apps) that at least someone is calling “art.”
On the other hand, I am quite certain that the iPhone and the iPad are game changers—for me and for the world. As a qualified media wizard and innovator, I think there are still a lot of people who don’t yet understand what a majorly disruptive force all of this mobile tech stuff is—creatively, socially and economically.
Created entirely in iPhone
In the spirit of all this, I’d like to offer a couple of audio-visual “windows” into what is really an emerging new media world. Just in the past week, the following appeared to underscore this trend:
1. A two and a half year old child, appearing in a crowd-sourced video, demonstrates how intuitive the iPad is to use:
2. Twitter celebrates its 5th Birthday with a fun celebrity-infused promotion that extoles us to “follow your interests” and “discover your world” (fun):
3. I find another way to play and have fun creating “art” via an app called Flowpaper (used to create signature below)
So, whether or not my iPhone art catches on and gains any traction (fat chance) beyond my more-than-recreational enjoyment, if you don’t yet “get it” then please trust me: smart phones and smart tablets like the iPhone and iPad are hear to stay. Not only are they profoundly ubiquitous but they are remarkably easy to use (well easier to use than a PC… way!). This new electronic environment… ok, “canvas” promises to change things even more dramatically than the advent of the Web has already done. Really.
It will be a fun ride. Come on along. And, if you are already “on board,” thanks for playing. 
Stay tuned. Much, much more to come.
(signature image created with Flowpaper app)
Posted in apple, cell phones, iphone, technology, user generated content, video, youtube | 3 Comments »
My Personal CES TV & ‘Video Web’ Wrap Up
Monday, January 10th, 2011
No, I did not go. But, I launched a CES-related website in 5 days, just for the occasion of CES 2011 (Consumer Electronics Show). And, I watched the media pretty closely.
Here are some of the video-related stories that I found to be most of interest and also mentioned in my video report on the Tuesday, January 11th, 2011 edition of TheTVNews.tv… (along with some related stories):
CBS Makes Exclusive TV Program Sales Deal with Internet-Connected TV Platform,
Boxee (via GigaOm) In fact, Boxee made a bunch of announcements. More in this Beet.tv interview
Intel Enters the Movie Distribution Game (Intel blog) This announcement lays the foundation for a bigger event which will be WiDi. This will enable movies streaming to your PC to be player on your HD TV.
MSNBC.com Finding New Audiences for Video News via Mobile (Beet.tv interview) The president of MSNBC Digital Networks has a lot to say about the benefits of distributing their TV cable network’s content via mobile devices. This is perhaps the fastest growing form of video distribution; and, as he says, mobile video is more engaging and reaching new audiences that the cable network frequently misses. (Video clip is embedded below.)
RingGuides’ New Website (new ComBridges design & production) This is a start-up with an innovative interface for accessing the new worlds of streaming video—both TV & online video—with a strong social component for distribution. The ComBridges team crafted this website, including a strong writing contribution, including complete design and production of the website in less than five days!
Stay tuned. The worlds of online video delivery across every type of screen imaginable will, no doubt, continue to grow, evolve and morph faster than most of us can imagine.
Posted in cell phones, online video, television, TV Industry, video | 1 Comment »
Google Gets Simple, Elegant in New Tech Videos (Google Real Time Search & Google Goggles)
Tuesday, December 8th, 2009
I like clear and simple. I heard Steve Jobs quoted today as saying that simplicity is “the ultimate elegance.” I especially like simplicity when it’s used to describe complex new technologies, and so much the better if that simplicity is being offered on YouTube, via video clips that are less than two minutes in length.
Thus, the two-clip salute below to Google and two major new (complex) technologies that are designed to make our lives simpler.
The first is real time search. A hot new trend that’s featured in the #1 spot on the American Express OPEN Forum post, “5 Trends That Will Shape Small Business in 2010.” Don’t look now, but the web has taken on a whole new dimension:
The second video demonstrates something even more powerful, Google Goggles, which searches by objects using your cell phone’s camera rather than text or voice to initiate the search. I like the tweet description that I just read by @faris: “Seriously – no messin’ – Google Goggles is an entirely new paradigm of human computer interaction – ‘hey Internet – what’s that?’ ”
Let’s let Google explain it visually in two minutes:
Yes, I hear that Google Goggles WILL be coming out for the iPhone.
And, come to think of it, Google always did get simple. Just think of their home page.
What do you think? Are these exciting new technologies? Are these videos any good? I’d love to hear your opinion, view and/or feedback.
Tags: Google, internet video, youtube
Posted in cell phones, Google, iphone, video, youtube | No Comments »
Phenomenal iPhone Photo Website + iPhone App
Monday, October 12th, 2009
I love this. I’ve been playing around with iPhone photo editing apps for a month or two, but I just discovered Chase Jarvis’ TheBestCamera.com (as in “the best camera is the one that’s with you”) and now I’m more excited about iPhone photography than ever before.
This integrated offering has me really impressed. Not only is it probably the best iPhone photo editing app that I’ve seen; but, it’s got integrated photo sharing to Twitter and Facebook built in, plus instant uploading to a true iPhone photo community site. Get the picture? (yes, pun intended) In fact, they’ve got the Big Picture. They’ve thought this through and put together what is essentially a mobile photography platform that’s sophisticated, feature rich, supported by great user interface (online and on iPhone). Very well done.
This iPhone app has already made it onto my first page of iPhone apps… a first! In fact, I’m using it to replace Apple’s iPhone Camera app.
As far as I can tell both TheBestCamera website and Mr. Jarvis himself have really “got it going on.” I’ll let him introduce himself via the video below. The app and the site are very much worth checking out, in my humble opinion…
Posted in cell phones, iphone, photography, twitter, video | 1 Comment »
Obama iPhone Application Leverages Your Swing State Contacts
Thursday, October 2nd, 2008
Once again (OK, I’m biased), Barak Obama has proven himself as a visionary leader who gets it. (OK, that was a bit over the top.) Bringing 21st century technology to the virtual campaign trail, the Obama campaign has launched it’s own iPhone application; and, it does more than you might think. For example, it supports you to call contacts in your address book who live is swing states (but without violating their privacy). Pretty impressive stuff.
Details are here in this excellent NY Times write-up, “It’s Obama on the iPhone”
Tags: apple, barak obama, iphone, iphone 3g
Posted in cell phones, politics | No Comments »
iPhone is Now a Light Sabre
Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008
I’m forced, due to time constraints, to wait for the lines to die down at my local Apple Store to get my first smartphone. Yes, me, your virtually favorite techno-dweeb has never owned a smartphone. That’s right, no Treo, no Crackberry… But, just in case your confidence in my geeky authority is waning; and to underscore the sincere message that the iPhone is now the ultimate–at least for now–mobile computing platform (thanks to the amazing resources now available via the iTunes iPhone Apps Store)… not to mention just for the giggles… I wanted to make sure that you all know that the iPhone (even the old, slow ones) is now a StarWars-reminiscent light sabre!
Video courtesy of the wonderful geeks at their totally-hysterical super-estore:
Tags: apple, geek, iphone, iphone 3g, starwars
Posted in cell phones | No Comments »
New iPhone Videos Better Than Ever
Monday, June 9th, 2008
I’ll leave the commentaries on Apple’s dramatic announcement of the iPhone 3G to others. I’ll only say that after holding out on buying an iPhone, I’m glad I did. Because now I’m ready! Half the price for double the speed (and all those new applications!) I’m going to get an iPhone 3G as close to July 11th as possible. That’s as strong an endorsement as I can make. And, I think the iPhone is truly the first, the leading and the most important mobile computing platform.
I also noticed that the videos of today’s announcement are better than ever. For example, here’s a nice little hightlight reel from the Wall Street Journal:
I also looked at a little of Apple’s streaming Quicktime version of Steve Jobs’ complete presentation, and the quality of that video looks better than ever at http://events.apple.com.edgesuite.net/0806wdt546x/event/
I also enjoyed and appreciated the excellent live blogging done by the TechCrunch crew. Their live blog posts included videos of key people and commentators pre-event (including a nice scoop that EBay would be announcing an application) as well as great photos during.
Tags: internet video, iphone, online video, web video
Posted in cell phones | No Comments »
Set Cell Phones Free
Monday, October 22nd, 2007
The FCC’s upcoming ruling on wireless bandwidth has raised the issues about cell phones and why that bandwidth is so tightly controlled by the giant cell phone companies (like Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.) The Wall Street Journal’s Walt Mossberg explains very clearly why this is VERY WRONG in his column, “Free My Phone” and I believe it is worthy of your consideration. At the very least, it’s fascinating that no less than a senior writer for the Wall Street Journal compares these telco giants to “Soviet ministries.”
Mossberg says that the approach to controlling hardware and software that these companies have taken (or have been allowed to take) “severely limits consumer choice, stifles innovation, crushes entrepreneurship, and has made the U.S. the laughingstock of the mobile-technology world…”
Bottom line, our cellular bandwidth subscription should not tie us to specific hardware and software any more than our internet provider subscription should tie us to a particular kind of computer, operating system or sub-set of applications. Of course, we should pay for bandwidth. It costs money to build networks. But there’s no reason that that should give the providers the right to tie our hands (within reason) regarding how we choose to use that bandwidth (with any kind of device we choose and any kind of software we choose) just like with the web.
Why does the American government keep letting the big companies get away with this stuff?? (rhetorical question)
Tags: cell phones, democratization of media, digital rights
Posted in cell phones | No Comments »
Cisco’s Suit of Apple Over iPhone Name May Be Playing into Steve’s Hand
Friday, January 12th, 2007
Many folks are mystified by Cisco’s suit of Apple over the name of Apple’s truly sensational, hot new iPhone. And, by the way, I agree with many that this is a true “leapfrog” product that is literally years ahead of the competition and will have a huge impact on the market like the iPod.
I think I know what’s going on with this lawsuit. It’s just a hunch, but it rings true at least to me. Bottom line, I think Steve is one step ahead of Cisco.
First, think of all the free publicity Apple and Mr. Steve Jobs are getting as a result of the Cisco lawsuit. Second, remember that Apple’s new AppleTV product was originally named “iTV.” Get it yet? Third, remember that Jobs likes consistency in product names. For example, now and only recently, all the Mac portables are MacBooks.
So my educated guess is that Jobs knew he’d get sued. He anticipated the publicity boost. And, they will change the name of their awesome new product to the ApplePhone! It’s got nice alliteration and they’ll use the same Apple logo-included name treatment that they are using on the AppleTV product.
You heard it here first! Anybody else think this is true?
Tags: apple, appletv, cisco, iphone, ipod, iTV, lawsuit, steve jobs
Posted in cell phones, e-business, television | 3 Comments »
New Palm Treo 680, 1/2 the price
Friday, November 24th, 2006
Those interested in a “smart phone” with the Palm OS can now get the Treo from Cingular at roughly one-half the price ($199 with activation) of previous Treo models. I also like the fact that this is smaller by the fact that there’s no antenae sticking out of the top. Most of you know that this is the easiest smart phone to synch with a Mac. Here’s a video review from MobilityToday:
Tags: cell phones
Posted in cell phones | No Comments »
