Apple's iPad, a farce or the future?

Maybe it was a busy news week around the world but really, when isn’t it? Is it just me? Or has Apple’s new iPad launched without the typical “Apple” media chaos? While complete with an unveiling by CEO Steve Jobs, I was surprised how little those around me, those in my sphere of influence, were affected.

While dubbed by some to be an “iPod jumbo”, the iPad was created to fill a niche between ‘netbooks’ and the iPhone. The 9.7 inch LCD screen links newspapers, magazines, video producers, game developers and book publishers together into a realm where technology and liberal arts converge. The iPad also opens up fresh possibilities on how content can be created, distributed and monetized. Check out an in-depth review of the iPad.

While it is seen as a small step for technology, it is a giant leap for Apple’s multimedia domination; where the hardware is the hook. For a look at Apple's smarts read this.

Here's a hilarious video from CollegeHumor.com

I did my research. The iPad has some pretty amazing features, and for about US$500-750 depending on the model, makes for a pretty handsome piece of gadgetry. But, always the buts… The iPad has been subject to much criticism, from tech aficionados and comedians alike.

Tech journalists the world over have noticed that there were some missing would-be features promised when the iPad was in development. To name a few:

• No jaw-droppingly new user interface
• No built-in camera
• No Flash support
• No user-replaceable battery
• No iPhone software 4.0 announcement

Here’s the link to the full article

Another of the top 4 whiffs

While it is clear that Apple has taken another step to secure the multimedia/computer/smartphone market, the iPad has some tough consumers to win over. I’ll reserve my jokes and qualms until I have one of those suckers in my hands.

43things.com has its 15 minutes

What do you want to do with your life? What would you like to accomplish? As we entered the New Year, thoughts gravitate toward your resolutions. I finally figured mine out, not to procrastinate. Hehe. 43things.com believes with any hope or goal, you shouldn’t have to go it alone!

43 Things or 43things.com is a social networking website that was launched New Years day, 2005. It is run by the Robot Co-op, a small company based in Seattle founded by blogger Erik Benson, Maktub keyboardist Daniel Spils, and former Amazon.com and Microsoft executive Josh Petersen.

Built on the principles of tagging, rather than creating explicit interpersonal links, anyone can create accounts and then list a number of goals, hopes and resolutions – conveniently limited to a list of 43. These goals are grouped and connected to other people through key words, terms or ideas.

For example, Losing Weight. Right now there are 17,000 people with this tag on their list.

Users can share success stories, cheer each other on, and even give up on their goals (hm). Users can also post photos, essentially blogging about their pursuits. 43things adds tips and tricks regarding New Year’s resolutions. I suggest everyone to take a look at what people want to do this year – it’s wicked funny.

The website design is very straightforward and user friendly, allowing a visitor to jump right in. One very cool aspect is the “popular goals in your area”. Where you can see what people around you are 'doing'.

While there is no clear “about us”, 43things lists guidelines that basically spell out the policies. So should you join? I’m not. For the same reason no one takes resolutions seriously in the first place. I agree that connecting with others sharing a common goal can be supportive, motivating and a place to share the struggle. But by early March I suspect all that remains are empty promises.

WHY? Because 43things is isolated from the rest of the social media world. While having an iPhone app, searching their respective Twitter and Facebook pages... I nearly coughed due to dust. 43things was considered a game changer when it was released however, the last Tweet was 10 months ago, and while having 1,600 fans, their Facebook fanpage had no recent posts, pictures or communication. The site boasts “Currently there are 2,130,631 people in 15,163 cities doing 1,658,588 things, including a “recently posted goal” on the home page, in large font, “eat a tampon.”

Are you kidding me? Who moderates this site?

Who is using it? Here’s a link to their demographics profile. I think 43things is relatively useless in the public relations industry. It can be used to obtain research information regarding people’s attitudes and goals for the New Year. Here is a good example : Market Research and 43things.com. It could also serve a product launch like a new diet plan. Personal trainers could find a group of dieters, fitness facilities looking to attract new customers... all because they found a niche of similarly connected profiles.

All in all, I think 43things has had its 15 minutes.

Here are what others have to say:

For a quick overview check this out
For an in-depth look @ 43things visit click here
Wikipedia
A video about 43things.com

Also check out Jen’s take on 43things.com

Don't forget to comment!

Big Things. Mark my words.

Life is funny sometimes isn't it?

We learn, we adapt.

We adjust and change and grow.

We fight, we love and we try.

We have moments.

I am into music, all kinds. But a moment I had... met this guy 7 or so years ago, first year university. I guess I can only explain it like this ~ you know them when you meet em. A really smart guy ~ in my opinion. Transformed my musical dogma. Forever thankful.

I'm talking about Aaron Santos. Check out his latesttttttttttt colabo...

James Teej ft. Aaron Santos - "Sorry Soul"

via soundcloud.com

You've been tagged! A How-to for tags

OH NO! A panic washes over as you ponder the most dreaded of social media scenarios. Where have I been? Who was I with? Who's been talking about me?! Seems to me, it's always the most unflattering or inappropriate picture right? For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, today's lesson is on tags!

Tags or tagging is prevalent throughout the internet. What is a tag? Well, a tag is essentially a key word or term that can be used with a blog, tweet, website or image.

How are tags used? Tagging helps describe any aforementioned item and allows it to be found through a search, grouping other items containing similar tags.

Our class assignment in social and digital media was to scoure the depths of the world wide internets, in search of this: the best how-to for tags. A picture is worth a thousand words and this post really exemplifies the simplistic nature of tags and tagging. At the bottom of this post you'll notice my tags or "labels" pertaining to keywords or terms i.e. tags, tagging, and how-to.


A quick example.

Say you see a blog post or a photo that has been tagged "Jimmy". By clicking that tag, or searching for the tag "Jimmy", you'll open up all other similarly tagged items, i.e. blog posts, photos, etc.

If that didn't do the trick, here are some others that I stumbled upon worth mentioning.

- how to effectively use tags in your blog (click here)
- how to use tags (click here)
- and ... for the hasty and visually inclined,

Although I was familiar with tags, this how-to experience gave me an opportunity to expand my knowledge and showcase network learning. Tags can be utilized to introduce new people, discover new interests, and connect with other people through a multitude of networks. As it turns out, the best how-to for tags was a blog post found on the ning.com network. I'm IN that network and can now say... "I've utilized my networks as a learning asset." When you think tags, think connecting.

Kick-ass! If you'd like to know more about tags, check out what Rachael and Katy, my co-conspirators have to say!

Wanna know more about Twitter? Or how to embed a video?
Click here! to see a collection of the best online how-to's in the universe.

Connect with the Humber Public Relations 2010 class!

I'll see you soon.