Stature Software

Archive for December, 2009

Nexus One Gets Unboxed

December 22nd, 2009 by Erin Posted in Technology | No Comments »

Just like a scandalous Hollywood sex tape, Android fiends and peep-show fanatics are flocking to Twitter and blogs to see the one and only Nexus One, aka the Google phone, get unboxed.

Yes, you read that right.

The Android OS-based cell phone – which may be released as soon as January – is shrouded in secrecy.

No one knows how it works. No one knows its features. No one knows if it’s really better than Apple’s iPhone.

But Google employees do.

They were handed the HTC-made phone on December 10th and none of them have shied away from showing it off.

A few lucky souls have spotted the phone in public and have been able to snap photos of its sleek design  But, no one in the general public has seen its box.

Until now.

It’s pretty, isn’t it?

One Twitter user posted that Twitpic a few days ago and there’s been a buzz about it ever since.

People are saying that this is the world’s most hottest, unreleased, phone and that it could – I repeat, could – change the way we do mobile.

Could it operate VoIP only if one wanted to use it that way?

Could it sustain a battery charge longer than a few hours?

Is it really faster than the iPhone?

These are the questions we want answers to – and Google’s campaign of secrecy has left us clamoring for any crumb of information we can find.

Google obviously has all of us eating out of the palm of its hand – and we’re secretly loving every minute of it.

 Tags: android os, google phone, nexus one

iPhone VoiceOver: Greatest Tip Ever? Yep.

December 21st, 2009 by Gregory Silvano Posted in Business, Technology | 1 Comment »

I switched from the Blackberry (8830) to the iPhone in January 2009 and other than AT&T’s coverage, I’m a big fan.  I know every screen, every option, every setting.

This weekend I stumbled on something I consider the best feature yet on the iPhone.  I haven’t seen this tip on any of the “Best iPhone Tips and Tricks” lists, but it really should be.

The scenario: you’re driving and get an important email.  Wouldn’t it be nice to have your iPhone read the email to you?  It can – all you have to do is “triple click” the home button!

To set this up, go to Settings, General, Accessibility.  At the bottom of the screen you’ll see a “Triple-click Home” option.  Set it to “VoiceOver”.  Done.

 

 Tags: iPhone, VoiceOver

Facebook Is Growing …. Businesses?

December 16th, 2009 by Erin Posted in Business | No Comments »

Facebook.

The very site people use to read mindless status updates, view photos, watch posted YouTube videos, and play FarmVille is now being called a potential business builder.

Neilsen, a company many television executives rely on for measuring market share, has entered the social network fray with a little product called Brand Lift.

As the Wall Street Journal first reported back in September, Brand Lift will measure the impact of ads on Facebook through polls that the site will show its users who have seen the ads.  Facebook will then compare the users’ responses to those of other people who didn’t see the ads and package the data for advertisers.

I have personally seen these polls, and while I never respond, they do pique my curiosity enough for me to take a look at the ad. I’ve never actually clicked on the link though.

Still, considering that people love taking polls, this could be a very solid way to measure whether or not ads on Facebook really perform.  The site itself has grown into a behemoth; +300 million active users with 50% of those users returning to the site everyday, sometimes several times a day.

So the million dollar question is … can Facebook fan pages help grow a business?

The answer from Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg is a resounding yes.

“Brands have found significant success with Facebook fan pages, which are free to create. But adding paid advertisements through Facebook’s ‘Engagement Ads’ product can enhance those brand pages significantly,” Sandberg explained during an event at New York Advertising Week.

If you read between the lines, this means that Facebook will also get paid.

With Twitter grabbing the most attention from marketers these days,  Facebook could use the money – or so it says.

As for its potential to grow business, I’ll say this much.

As an avid Facebook user, I may eventually resent getting peppered with advertisements and polls. The site is intended to help people connect and socialize – and that’s how I want to use it.

I understand the drive to make money, but in my opinion Facebook may be walking a fine line.

The users will ultimately have the final say here. Peeved Facebookers tend to revolt.

 Tags: business growth, facebook advertising, facebook business

Businesses Help Consumers Shop With A Purpose

December 9th, 2009 by Erin Posted in Business | 1 Comment »

In a time when everyone is trying to make a buck, I’d like to tip my hat to a Website that’s trying to do the opposite – spread the wealth.

I’m talking about We-Care.com. This dynamic site creates customized co-branded marketplaces allowing people to shop online as they would normally do with a percentage of what they spend going to a nonprofit, school, or association of their choice.

What’s impressive is the wide range of businesses that participate – roughly 800 merchants, ranging from big box stores to small business start ups.

Given that this is the holiday season, and I choose NOT to shop in crowded stores unless forced,  I have taken full advantage of this site.

My cause: The Gwendolyn Strong Foundation (GSF).

Founded in their daughter’s name by Bill and Victoria Strong, GSF is on a dedicated mission to raise awareness and funds to help cure Spinal Muscular Atrophy, the #1 genetic killer of children under 2.

GSF branded their own marketplace using We-Care’s infrastructure. It’s called ShopToEndSMA – and it’s an online shopper’s dream.

Book a trip on Air France. They’ll make a .5% donation.

Order holiday cards at the CardStore (5% donation).

Reserve a stay at the Marriott (1% donation).

Upgrade your computer software at Adobe (4%).

Buy an iPhone at the Apple Store (.5% donation) and then subscribe to AT&T’s 3G network (donation percentage may vary).

… And the list goes on and on.

Look, money is tight.

Most of us don’t have the funds to donate to a cause of our choice. But sites like We-Care and ShopToEndSMA –  and all of the wonderful businesses they’ve partnered with – allow us to give effortlessly.

They literally take the sting out of spending money.

I commend businesses, large and small, for stepping up to the plate during this rough economic time.

While others are hoarding, the partners at We-Care are sharing.

How refreshing.

 Tags: business philanthropy, online donation, online shopping stores, social responsibility business

‘Googled’ For The Holidays

December 2nd, 2009 by Erin Posted in Business | No Comments »

Anyone who laughs, but secretly cringes, at a “Google is God” joke may take sinister delight in what author Ken Auletta has dug up.

His new book – hot on the shelves for the holiday season – is “Googled: The End of the World as We Know It.”

Auletta digs deep into Google’s world and tries to make us understand how the tiny company became not only a verb, but perhaps the most influential company on the planet in just a decade.

It’s a tall order, but one Auletta tries to accomplish by setting his story apart from the half dozen books that have already tackled this topic.

Auletta’s secret weapon?

Good old fashion dirt.

He spent 13 weeks over the course of two years in and around Google’s Silicon Valley digs, seeing its founders in action. Auletta gives readers a detailed look at the lives – and personal bond – of Google’s young masterminds, Sergey Brin and Larry Page.

We get the scoop on everything, from how they were raised and their penchant for kite surfing to how they started – and nearly brought down – Google.

There’s even some tidbits about heated arguments and Page’s romantic relationship with a high-level Google employee.

This is juicy stuff, folks.

But don’t get me wrong, this is not a biography.

This is about Google – and the (evil?) empire it has become.

Media obsession aside, Auletta writes that Google may have become its own worst enemy.

To us, the verb “google” means to search for something on the Web.

To Auletta, and perhaps the global business world, “google” evokes feelings of being “hammered” or “conquered.”

Auletta writes that the advertising business has been Googled. The software business has been Googled. So has book publishing.

Google’s growing sphere of influence is alarming and an interesting study on abuse of power – and Auletta tries his best to explore both.

Google is a company we all love to hate – and Auletta does a good job of feeding our secret fascination.

But what’s even more alarming – or exciting?

Google has yet to hit its prime.

Does that mean the best is yet to come?

 Tags: google business, google search, googled