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Move Over, Swinging Ball Thingies!: Ferrofluid Interactive Magnetic Desk Sculptures

ferro-desk-sculptures.jpg This is a nearly funded Kickstarter for Ferrite Interactive Liquid Sculptures. They're basically TMNT ooze canisters with a magnetic liquid (ferrofluid) suspended in another, clear liquid that you can manipulate to make cool shapes with external magnets. Contributing $100 gets you a mini one when (if) they're manufactured next July, $150 a large one, and $200 scores one of each. You'll have to watch the demonstration video after the jump though to fully appreciate them, just talking about them doesn't really do them justice. But do you know who does do justice? My crime fighting alter-ego, Captain Handsome. Dashing, isn't he? "That's just you ducking behind a movie-theater cutout of that kid from Twilight." It's true. I used to have a Batman one but my roommate fought it and won. Hit the jump for the worthwhile video demo and a link to the Kickstarter page.

from Geekologie - Gadgets, Gizmos, and Awesome http://www.geekologie.com/2011/12/move-over-swinging-ball-thingies-ferrofl.php

It's not TV, it's HBO Go, and it's finally coming to Cablevision

Being a Cablevision customer was hard. Watching your colleagues with FiOS subscriptions stream Carnivale on their iPads, the guy who pays Dish Network for his programming could get Cinemax on his smartphone -- and all you had was YouTube for entertainment. Fortunately, the final major provider not to carry Home Box Office's online services has relented and you'll be able to enjoy both HBO Go and Go Max as soon as it's launched in "the next few months." Just remember that while you can now enjoy all those episodes of True Blood in public places, it doesn't necessarily mean that you should.

Continue reading It's not TV, it's HBO Go, and it's finally coming to Cablevision

It's not TV, it's HBO Go, and it's finally coming to Cablevision originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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from Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/20/its-not-tv-its-hbo-go-and-its-finally-comi...

PhoneGap v1.3 brings better cross-platform app coding to Windows Phone

Nitobi's PhoneGap project helps app developers to code for multiple mobile OSs simultaneously, thanks to the open standard wonders of HTML5, JavaScript and CSS. It's supported Windows Phone since the beginning, but v1.3 builds on that friendliness by opening up the API's full feature set and hence every limb and organ of a Mango handset, from the compass right through to storage and notifications. New plug-ins yield extra goodies, like Live Tile updates, BingMaps Search and social networking integration. Plus, in the interests of fairness, the full list of improvements (at the source link) contains some nuggets for Android, iOS and BlackBerry coders too.

PhoneGap v1.3 brings better cross-platform app coding to Windows Phone originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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from Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/20/phonegap-v1-3-brings-better-cross-platform...

Apple Indeed Replacing Recalled iPod Nano Units with Current-Generation Models


Just hours after we reported that Apple appeared to have begun shipping out current-generation iPod nanos as replacements for recalled first-generation units, users are beginning to report in that they are indeed receiving the current models.
Just received our replacement today - Fedex truck pulled up late in the evening. Inside was our replacement for our 1st gen ipod nano that was sent into Apple 1 month ago.

It's a 6th generation ipod nano, serial number shows that warranty has expired. Not sure if that means that it's a refurbished model or if it's a brand new model and they've deactivated the warranty. It's silver.

Apple had initially been issuing refurbished first-generation models to replace the recalled first-generation units at risk of overheating. But it appears that the company has run out of spare first-generation units and is now supplying users with current-generation units as replacements.

Apple initially launched the iPod nano in 2 GB and 4 GB capacities priced at $199/$249 back in September 2005, adding a $149 1 GB model a few months later. The device utilized a click wheel for navigation and contained a 1.5-inch screen for displaying the standard iPod software interface. Battery life was advertised at 14 hours of music playback and four hours of photo slideshows with music.

The current iPod nano is less than half the size of the original iPod nano and utilizes a 1.5-inch touch screen with software skinned to look like iOS. It is available in 8 GB ($129) and 16 GB ($149) capacities and offers up to 24 hours of music playback.


Recent Mac and iOS Blog Stories
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iPod Shuffle Signed by Steve Jobs Available on eBay
Siri Plays a Grand Piano With Some Help From AirPlay and Yamaha
Explosion at Pegatron Factory for Apple Products, Injuries Reported
Wolfram Delivers Siri-Enabled Shopping Results From Best Buy

from MacRumors: Mac News and Rumors - Front Page http://www.macrumors.com/2011/12/20/apple-indeed-replacing-recalled-ipod-nano...

5 Social Media Predictions for 2012

Typically, I avoid prediction posts for the simple fact that the social marketing and social business space changes so dramatically almost every day. Human behavior is hard to predict and the way we leverage tools and communicate with each other is always evolving. However, after reading a few 2012 Social Media Prediction posts already, I can’t help but share my thoughts as they are a bit different from some of the other recognizable names in social.

So, without further ado, here are my 5 Social Media Predictions for 2012.

1) C-Suite as Content. Several prediction posts reference the C-Suite as Journalists or Content Creators. While it sounds excellent, it’s still wishful thinking. After spending the last year training and developing strategies with some of the top C-Suite Executives in the world, there is still major concern over the time commitment and fear of the “potential” missteps. Additionally, not all C-Suite executives should be freely participating in social media. A more suitable expectation for 2012 is that the C-Suite will become part of the content. As more organizations evolve into Social Businesses, executives will recognize that their participation, opinion and voice is one of the most valuable contributions to the digital discussion. While some may adopt style’s similar to Brian Dunn at Best Buy or Richard Branson at Virgin, most will empower an internal team to create a more rounded social strategy that leverages their time and thought leadership in a manageable way.

2) Gamification Overload. Several in the industry are hot on gamification and badges, but ill-conceived initiatives are flooding consumers with useless icons in an effort to increase public advocacy. Ford Motors, typically a leader in social media initiatives, pulled together a nice experience with a variety of badges in 2011 and even asked customers for advice on creating new badges. However, the badges have no value or purpose. As a Ford owner, I can’t think of one reason to “get a badge”… and I love my Taurus. Badges and gamification build off the desire to be an “insider” or the best at certain activities. They play off the competitive nature in all of us, but over time, having the most “badges,” being atop the leader-board or having the most Klout in Basket Weaving gets old. Take Foursquare for example – they’ve recently upped the badge ante, but the badges add no real value to the user. It’s more about being the mayor in an effort to get free or discounted items. Even then, most users will give up on trying to be mayor if they face competition from someone more committed to achieving that status. Gamification will still be a major player in 2012, but if the value proposition isn’t amplified or differentiated, expect an initial burst of activity and then a steady decline into badge fatigue.

3) A Return to Inside/Out Social Media. If 2011 was the year of “Social Business Theory,” than 2012 is the year of practical execution. Several large organizations have turned their focus to internal activities recognizing that old policies and programs were not nurtured effectively. As a result, employee social media activity was siloed and disjointed. Moving forward, an increased effort will be placed on training, enabling and coordinating employee social media activity. More business leaders are recognizing that every employee has a voice and is engaged in the conversation in their own way. Focus will turn to finding internal advocates and building programs that enhance their work rather than impede it. If social media is all about relationships and conversations, we must recognize that our employees are the other necessary party in that activity. Otherwise, customers are talking only to each other, or a small team of social media practitioners that will quickly become overloaded (if they are not already) and decrease the value they are able to offer.

4) External Collaboration Grows Up. Over the past 6 or 7 years expectations have remained, “if you build it, they will come.” By now, most should have realized that this is not the case. Passionate customers and advocates want to be a part of something. For many, it’s about being included, appreciated and heard. While we can give them a platform to share their thoughts, it’s simply not enough. Some of the best stories in social media success come from the movements created in 2011. The way that people come together around a common cause (Occupy, Middle East, etc.). It’s not easy to create a movement. Someone has to take the lead and be the voice to rally the others. While creating a movement around a brand or a product is certainly a more difficult challenge, it is possible if the right people are at the table. In 2012, greater emphasis needs to be placed on the advocate. It’s not simply a “pay for content” approach, it’s an absorption into the cause. This will be incredibly challenging for many marketers and agencies as it moves them further away from the campaign mindset and focuses more on the long term day-to-day engagement.

5) Social Media Gurus Get Exposed. This may be a bit of wishful thinking, but with the increasing credibility and long term potential of social media, it’s hard not to believe that companies are becoming more savvy at identifying the pretenders. In 2012, actions will speak louder than words. The talk has reached a deafening pitch, but many of those talking have little experience in actually deploying social programs or building social businesses. In 2011, it was impossible not to encounter a “Guru” around every corner. Many of whom were selling their brand of social media training or strategy with less than 1 year experience if any at all. While it may have made sense to take the risk in years past, 2012 will see a greater emphasis on proven results and long term execution. Large organizations will demand quality metrics and substantial knowledge about how social programs impact the business. The need for one partner that can handle strategy, execution and measurement will help eliminate the need for many of the talking heads. Proving your credentials will be necessary and that has nothing to do with Klout scores.

In conclusion, 2012 will be as exciting as 2011 and the years that preceded. More mistakes will be made and exceptional executions will appear in every industry blog. Twitter and Facebook will change again and a few LBS companies will be acquired. It’s the reason we do what we do. Whether my 2012 predictions for social media are right or not, it doesn’t matter. The only thing I know for sure is that I’ll be back here in December 2012 with another post of predictions and feeling just as optimistic as I do right now.

What are your thoughts on the state of social media in 2012?

from BostInno http://bostinno.com/channels/5-social-media-predictions-for-2012/

Super Bowl to be streamed online and to Verizon phones for the first time

It looks like you'll have a few more viewing options than usual at your next Super Bowl party. The NFL announced today that the Super Bowl, plus wild card Saturday and the Pro Bowl, will all be streamed online for the first time on both the NFL's and NBC's websites. Mobile users will also be able to get in on the act, albeit only if they have a Verizon smartphone with the NFL Mobile app. What's more, those broadcasts will also give viewers access to quite a bit more than old-fashioned TV watchers have access to, including multiple camera angles, in-game highlights, and live stats. No word if the streams will include ads.

Super Bowl to be streamed online and to Verizon phones for the first time originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:20:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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from Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/20/super-bowl-to-be-streamed-online-and-to-ve...

20 TV Shows With the Most Social Media Buzz This Week [CHART]

It seems that people nowadays can’t watch cable television or streamed video content without contemplating a corresponding hashtag or status update. And judging from our social TV charts, it seems the more current the event, the more important the tweet.

This week, the Republican Presidential Debate on Fox News took the social cake by a wide lead, followed by WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs — oh my! Oddly, two cartoons tied for number four on cable and broadcast, respectively. Finally, SNL squeezed into the top 10 rankings this week — probably for its delightful cameos, which included Triangle Sally!

The data below is compliments of our friends at Trendrr, who measure specific TV show activity (mentions, likes, checkins) across Twitter, Facebook, GetGlue and Miso. To see daily rankings, check out Trendrr.TV.


Image courtesy of iStockphoto, narvikk

More About: features, Social Media, social tv, social tv charts, Trendrr, TV

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from Mashable! http://mashable.com/2011/12/19/social-tv-chart-12-19/?utm_source=feedburner&u...

BBC's iPlayer racks up 500k users, BBC shows how they made the app

The BBC's wildly popular iPlayer app was updated last week to include support for the iPhone and iPod touch plus the ability to stream TV over 3G. As a result of all the new features, iPlayer for iOS has been downloaded over 1.1 million times in just the last week alone. What's more interesting is that 500,000 of those downloads were to people who have never downloaded the app before.

Daniel Danker, BBC's General Manager of Programmes and On Demand, told The Guardian that the new 3G streaming support is the main reason the download numbers were so high: "Last week, 20% of all requests on iPhone were on 3G. That's amazing in such a short period of time. And yet when we look at the audience feedback, nobody has really reported streaming problems over 3G."

Stuart Dredge's Guardian article shares more numbers from Danker along with the BBC's thoughts about on mobile television and developing for Android versus iOS. For those who are more interested in the creation of the app from concept to implementation, read this excellent post by Chris Elphick, Senior Designer of the BBC iPlayer iPhone App project.

BBC iPlayer for iOS is a free download, though the app is not yet available to US users.

BBC's iPlayer racks up 500k users, BBC shows how they made the app originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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from TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog http://www.tuaw.com/2011/12/20/bbcs-iplayer-racks-up-500k-users-bbc-shows-how...

HBO Go Coming to Cablevision


Cablevision cable customers will soon be able to enjoy HBO Go.

The cable company was one of the few major holdouts when the service launched on iOS and Android earlier this year. On Friday, another former holdout, Time Warner Cable, also announced that it will support HBO Go.

This is a big win for HBO — and for the TV Everywhere ecosystem. In a statement, HBO Co-President Eric Kessler says HBO Go will now be available to 98% of HBO subscribers.

HBO Go allows HBO subscribers to access every episode of every season of nearly every program in HBO’s vast library. This includes current shows, like Game of Thrones, True Blood and Boardwalk Empire, as well as past hits like The Sopranos, Sex and the City and Oz.

HBO Go also offers a wide array of movies, documentaries and original films — replicating the same content airing on HBO in a given month. HBO’s sister channel, Cinemax, also has its own TV Everywhere offering, MAX Go. HBO Go and MAX Go are available on iOS, Android and an increasing number of third-party devices, including the Xbox 360 and Roku.

The success of HBO Go — an app that managed 5 million downloads in just six months — is proof that TV Everywhere as a concept can work.

As a Brooklynite who uses Cablevision for my Internet and cable TV, I’m ecstatic that I can stop “borrowing” my parents Comcast ID and access HBO Go the official way. Cablevison says the service should roll out to customers in “the next few months.”

More About: cablevision, hbo, HBO GO, tv everywhere

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from Mashable! http://mashable.com/2011/12/19/hbo-go-cablevision/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_...

Apple Working on TV of the Future [REPORT]


Apple is hard at work redefining the future of the TV, and that future includes a TV set that supports wireless streaming, the Wall Street Journal reports, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Unfortunately, this latest in the long line of Apple iTV rumors doesn’t bring many specifics on what exactly Apple’s next-gen TV will look like.

According to “people familiar with the matter,” Apple is in talks with media executives at several large companies and is developing a TV with wireless streaming capabilities.

One thing that will play an important part in Apple’s upcoming TV product is voice recognition software, similar to Siri. The software “might allow users to use their voices to search for a show or change channels,” the WSJ says.

Another important aspect of Apple’s strategy is the synergy between all the other devices in Apple’s ecosystem. For example, a user might start watching a video on a TV set, then continue viewing it on a tablet.

None of this has been officially confirmed by Apple. WSJ‘s report says it is “unclear” when the company plans to start selling such a device, and even if a date were set, Apple may change its plans at any time.

[via WSJ]

More About: apple, itv, TV


from Mashable! http://mashable.com/2011/12/19/apple-tv-of-the-future/?utm_source=feedburner&...