From my previous posts, you can probably gather why this might be a bit frustrating. Perhaps “Change” will finally reach our community in 2010.
Interesting tool by way of TechCrunch on figuring out which search results you prefer most.
Alternate use is to see how your SEO tactics affect ranking across the three competitors side-by-side.
Will definitely be bookmarking this one.
Heading to this next Thursday (8/6) at The Estate at 7 PM and definitely welcome anyone else who would like to join me. Trying to gain momentum to get Boston picked as the Gay Games host site for 2014.
If you’re on facebook, RSVP here: http://www.facebook.com/Boston2014#/event.php?eid=105840171436
See you there!
After a week of online courses and taking the exam, found out that I am officially a certified inbound marketing professional today.
What does that mean? It means I can offer my clients piece of mind on generating new business leads, thorugh the use of inbound marketing techniques without the high cost of traditional advertising campaigns. This includes programs like search engine optimization, search marketing, blogging, white paper development, webinars, etc.
Pretty cool and glad to know I can still make it through coursework. If you’re interested in going through the program, they’re doing another session in August. Sign up at http://www.inboundmarketing.com/university.
Very smart use of web, mobile and downloadable application technology to drive average order size at Dunkin’ locations. Best feature is the printable order form to avoid the embarassing chicken scratch note or communication error with Dunkin’ team member.
As expected earlier this week at the WWDC Apple introduced its next generation of iPhone known simply as the 3G[S] where the “s” stands for speed. While it did tackle some user requested features such as video, cut/copy/paste and voice search, it seemed to me that some of its best features such as tethering, where its connection to a cellular data can be shared with computer users, served as a public trial of their challenges with AT&T and their ability to provide a level of service reserved for its customers.
I have to be honest, when the iPhone originally came out a few years ago, I was puzzled with its choice of carrier partner. AT&T has struggled within the wireless space with its branding blunders when it merged Cingular, poor iPhone activation process and spotty 3G network coverage. From my perspective, for a brand like Apple whose focus has always been on the end customer experience, it seemed to me to be a poor partnership for keeping customers happy.
With the AT&T exclusivity agreement expiration date looming on the horizon, I am curious if Apple is looking to position itself as a direct handset retailer; giving customers the ability to add cellular service with any network as an added benefit, but make phone calls over WiFi their standard feature. It’s no secret that several service providers like Fring and Truphone have already activated WiFi VOIP applications on the iPhone and as Apple positions the iPhone as a speedy device capable of completing data transfers like a computer, it can only continue to be hampered by the 3G network of any cellular company. With the prolific volume of unsecured WiFi networks, having an iPhone and connecting to these networks does not seem to be the same issue it was 3 years ago. This is technically what the iPod Touch serves with the exception of its ability to make phone calls.
While this is not unfamiliar territory for handset manufacturers, I feel the public discord between AT&T’s non-support of tethering and MMS with the iPhone 3G[s] only reflects growing angst between Apple and cellular carrier restrictions. While they may be struggling with AT&T, I cannot imagine a partnership with Verizon, Sprint or T-Mobile to be any better regarding carrier restrictions. At any rate, the next few months of negotiation between Apple and AT&T should prove to be interesting and I expect even more public displays of angst will occur.
Just made Parmesan Sourdough Onion Bread to accompany roast beef sandwiches for lunch this week.
Today marks our official Massachusetts anniversary even tough we’re about to celebrate our 10th “dateversary” at the end of the month and our 9th wedding anniversary in September. Regardless I am happy we live in a state where this is possible and am saddened other states cannot get on-board or are on-board albeit for too short of a moment (boo on prop 8). It’s hard to believe critics out there who say our union will erode the definition of marriage when we’re quickly becoming one of the longest married couples within our group of friends. At any rate Happy Anniversary Phil, and I’ll cut you some slack for forgetting this one, but you better remember September!
It was a big day in Boston yesterday with the announcement of eInk being acquired by PVI, but I was more surprised by another feature about Google taking on Amazon with their own book-selling plan.
eInk’s technology has brought to life the use of the personal electronic book readers, creating users who are looking for content to fill their new devices. As I think about the traditional customer flow, most users purchase their readers from online retailers like Amazon and I would expect they have highly optimized the shopping path ensuring purchasers add books, magazine and subscriptions into the cart at the same time.
With Google’s entrance into this market, it raises a couple of flags for me:
While these concerns outline why Google should not enter the ebook business, I do see tremendous opportunity for Google to capitalize on self-publishers. Like their Blogger acquisition, Google can foster an environment allowing authors to promote their books and generate revenue. To me, this could fuel a new movement back to traditional book writing, where prolific authors can cut out the publisher, activate self-promotion, sell their books and build online followings.
Regardless of concerns listed above, it will be intersting to see Google take on Amazon in the ebook business and how it will disrupt their business model. In any case, we can look to Amazon’s entrance into the music business and see how they have disrupted Apple’s control of rights management and cost of music as an example.
Great perspective article in Sunday’s Boston Globe Magazine on why the newspaper industry cannot fail based on the internet unable to replace specific use cases. Quite humorous “advantages” of the newspaper.
This is followed by an “informative” non-scientific study from The Today Show into the affects of taking away technology for 10 days from our teens. Cracking up at the :50 mark where the student is totally perplexed on how to get news from the newspaper, all those sections. Click on the photo below for the video.
