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5 Reasons Your Branded Content Is Failing


You’re a brand (hello, brand!), and you’ve decided to invest in brand publishing. It’s the hot new thing, and you hear there’s serious ROI behind it, so you figure what the hell.

You tell your ad agency about your new interest in this kind of content. They rave about how they’ve invested in a team of editors and journalists in preparation for this exact moment. (Translation: they have a vendor in mind to outsource the work.) You start posting on your blog every day, but 60% of your traffic is coming from your own PR team.

Is this worth the investment? No. But it can be.

The fact is that agencies aren’t publishers, and getting people to watch and read things you m…
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More About: Marketing, brands, contibutor, features, online marketing

from Mashable! http://mashable.com/2012/08/09/branded-content-tips/?utm_source=feedburner&ut...

Pomodorable task management app ready to harvest on the Mac App Store

Pomodorable task management app ready to pick on the Mac App Store

It's gone through a productive growing season, and now Monocle Society's new Mac task management app Pomodorable (US$4.99 introductory pricing) is ready for harvest. The app is designed to help busy workers get things done through Francesco Cirillo's Pomodoro Technique, and it does the job in a unique and inviting way. I was approached early this year by Kyle Kinkade, head of Seattle-based Monocle Society, to beta-test the app, and I'm glad I did.

If you've used one of the other Pomodoro apps in the past, prepare to be blown away by Pomodorable. Most of the previous apps are just timers, letting you know when a 25 minute task period (Pomodoro) is done. Pomodorable does the timing part too, providing a distraction-free floating window that subtly animates the passage of time through a tomato plant with vines that grow longer and fruit (botanically, tomatoes are fruit; legally, they're a vegetable) that slowly ripens from green to juicy red.

Pomodorable task management app ready to pick on the Mac App Store

Pomodorable would be a winner with just the timer, but fortunately there's much more to the app. Hover your mouse above the floating window, and it provides details on exactly how much time is left in the current Pomodoro and how many distractions you've fought.

Pomodorable task management app ready to pick on the Mac App Store

Mountain Lion users will love the integration with Reminders, Notification Center and Notes. You can sync your tasks with Reminders -- add a task to Mountain Lion's built-in task management app, and it appears in the list of Pomodoros so you can get to work on completing it. When a Pomodoro is complete, you hear the timer ring, a Notification Center banner appears, and the completed Pomodoro appears in the list of notifications. Do you like keyboard shortcuts? Pomodorable lets you set shortcuts for toggling windows, stopping the current Pomodoro, or logging an interruption.

Pomodorable task management app ready to pick on the Mac App Store

One of the pitfalls of the Pomodoro Technique is the possibility of distractions. Pomodorable has a way for you to set status messages for Skype, iChat/Messages and Adium to let others know that you're busy getting work done. In case there are interruptions from one of those sources (an external distraction) or you need to stop for some other reason, you can mark them. The choice of a squirrel icon to mark distractions harkens back to Dug the Dog in the movie "Up", a great choice by UI designers Bryan Bell, and Henrik Van Rysin.

Users of OmniFocus and Things will also find things to love about Pomodorable, as it integrates with those apps as well. Be sure to take a look at the short promotional video below, and if you're a Pomodoro fan, click your Mac App Store icon immediately and buy this app.

Pomodorable task management app ready to harvest on the Mac App Store originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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from TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog http://www.tuaw.com/2012/08/09/pomodorable-task-management-app-ready-to-pick-...

Burner Generates Disposable Phone Numbers for Perfectly Private Calls and Text Messages [Video]

iPhone Only: Burner generates short-term, disposable phone numbers for voice calls and SMS messages, and then masks your outgoing calls and messages behind that number. If you've ever wanted to call or text someone but didn't necessarily want them to have your phone number—like a potential roomie you met on Craigslist, someone you just sold an old PC to on eBay, or even an annoying ex, this app is for you. More »


from Lifehacker http://lifehacker.com/5933208/burner-generates-disposable-phone-numbers-for-p...

The Right to Tether: What the Verizon/FCC Settlement Means to You [Tethering]

Last week, the FCC ruled that Verizon Wireless can't keep its customers from downloading tethering apps, or apps that let you share your phone's internet connection like a hotspot with other devices. It's great news, but does it actually affect you, even if you're not a Verizon Wireless customer? Let's take a look. More »


from Lifehacker http://lifehacker.com/5933152/the-right-to-tether-what-the-verizonfcc-settlem...

Archy beta brings panache to Google Drive

If you use Google Drive and want a lightweight Mac client to view and manage your Drive files, then you should check out Archy. Archy sits in your menu bar or dock and gives you one-click access to all your documents stored in Google Drive. From the app, you can easily preview your files, organize them into folders and download them to your hard drive.

Archy also lets you see the current sharing options for files and allows you to share documents with other people from within the app. If you want to edit a document, Archy will open it in Google Drive using your web browser by default. You can also choose an app to open a Google Doc file, which is useful for users who have the iWork apps or Microsoft Office installed.

Archy's strength is its simple and elegant interface, which makes it easy for you to glance at a Google Drive file without logging into your Google account. Its features are similar to Google's Drive app for the Mac, but Archy is less intrusive because it works off your online Drive directory and doesn't place a folder on your hard drive.

Archy is currently in the beta phase and available for the public to download from the Archy website. Because it's a beta, there are a few areas that need some polishing, but the overall experience is particularly good. If you're a Google Drive user, you should give it a whirl.

Continue reading Archy beta brings panache to Google Drive

Archy beta brings panache to Google Drive originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 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/2012/08/09/archy-beta-brings-panache-to-google-drive/

Dejero LIVE + Mobile app turns the iPhone into a broadcast camera

The next wave of innovation in the mobile space will look at the existing hardware and ask how we can use the power in our hand to make life easier and better. For broadcasters, this future will lie in apps like the LIVE + Mobile from Dejero. Dejero is the company behind LIVE +, a portable broadcasting system that lets reporters deliver live HD or SD video using a cellular, WiFi or Ethernet connection. The company has taken this technology one step further and bundled it into an iOS app that'll turn any iPhone 4S or iPad owner into a field reporter.

The Dejero LIVE + Mobile app lets you broadcast live HD or SD video using your iOS device. It uses Dejero's patent-pending bonded cellular technology that combines both WiFi and cellular connections to broadcast live footage at the best quality possible. The app also takes advantage of both the front and rear-facing cameras, so a single reporter can capture both himself and the action in front of him using only his iPhone.

As you can imagine, the possibilities are limitless for reporters who have access to a broadcast solution that replaces a camera crew and fits in their pocket. Bogdan Frusina, Dejero CTO writes, "This technology allows them [reporters] to be first on a news scene and bring high quality live footage back to their viewers that previously would not have been possible."

The Dejero LIVE+ Mobile app is available for free from the iOS App Store. It requires a Dejero LIVE+ Broadcast server. You can read more about the technology on Dejero's website.

Dejero LIVE + Mobile app turns the iPhone into a broadcast camera originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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from TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog http://www.tuaw.com/2012/08/09/dejero-live-mobile-app-turns-the-iphone-into-a...

20 Under 20: Reality TV that won’t embarrass Silicon Valley

Taylor Wilson might have built a working nuclear fusion reactor in his parent’s garage at age 14 and delivered a TED talk on his success, but he still finds some things scary. Namely, driving and roller coasters.

Such are the young genuiuses we meet in CNBC’s new documentary “20 Under 20,” which chronicles the selection process and methodology behind this year’s Thiel Fellows, individuals at or below the age of 20 who recieve $100,000 to spend two years pursuing their dreams in technology and science with one requirement: dropping out of school.

The two-part documentary follows the 40 or so finalists during their time in San Francisco before being narrowed down to the 20 winners. The documentary is perhaps a little too long and at times overly dramatic, but it does portray a fairly inspiring view of Silicon Valley and entrepreneurship. The tech scene in “20 Under 20″ is not one with caged tigers or pool parties or pimped-out mansions, but rather young people with dreams of making an impact in science, medicine and technology. And that’s a cool thing to see.

Much of the documentary revolves around the question the Thiel Fellows eventually face: Is graduation from college worth the money it takes to stay in top schools, or would it be better to pursue your dreams now and take a risk of becoming an unsuccessful college dropout? On one hand, if you’re building nuclear fusion reactors at age 14, you probably don’t need a degree to turn out relatively successful in your field. On the other hand, Peter Thiel himself graduated from Stanford and found many of his closest business partners among the university’s alumni. The documentary spends a little too long belaboring this point — clearly it’s up to every fellow to decide for himself or herself — but it does present an interesting commentary on the value of higher education in the U.S.

The Thiel Fellowship was created and funded by Peter Thiel, an entrepreneur and investor who co-founded PayPal and was the first outside investor in Facebook, who believes passionately in the power of science and tech to change the world. While a Facebook investor, he’s not a huge fan of entrepreneurs spending their time on social and consumer apps. “We wanted flying cars, instead we got 140 characters,” says the manifesto of his venture capital firm, and the priorities of the scholarship reflect this. While it’s received its fair share of criticism, it’s now in its second year and going strong.

The documentary does have the conventions of a dramatic showdown at times (there’s the girl with stage fright who freaks out on stage, the one who thinks she’s too good for the program and gets overconfident, and of course the critical judges re-hashing each contestant), but overall it’s an interesting look at some of the youngest and brightest minds in America. The finalists, all between the ages of 15-20, are passionate about a wide range of topics like nuclear fusion, software engineering, 3D printing, public health and microfinance, all while attending school. It’s impressive to think what most of them could do with the time and money to pursue those passions full-time.

The Thiel Fellowship just announced the 2012 Fellows in July, the second class the program has produced.

Below is the CNBC trailer for the documentary, which will air on CNBC August 13 and 14 at 10 PM local time:


from GigaOM http://gigaom.com/2012/08/09/20-under-20-reality-tv-that-wont-embarrass-silic...

A Massive Flash Mob Picnic With 1,000 of Your Closest Friends is Coming to Boston

What if I told you there was an event in town in which you dress in all white, meet at a certain time and place, and eat some food with hundreds upon hundreds of other people dressed in all white. Sound like a cult? Yeah, I thought so, too. Until I saw this picture:

That is last year’s Diner en Blanc in New York City, and next week, it will be the scene right here in Boston. Diner en Blanc is a secret (well, now not-so-secret), culinary pop-up event that occurs in multiple cities across the world. Boston’s Diner en Blanc will take place on Thursday, August 16. The location, however, won’t be revealed until hours before the event. Boston doesn’t have much open space, so I’d say it’ll likely be on the Boston Common, the Greenway or Copley Square. Any places I’m missing?

Diners must bring their own food, tables, chairs, silverware, glassware, plates, utensils and white table clothes, and in exchange, will be entertained with live music, dancing, and the chance to eat in all white with thousands of others. Check that off your bucket list.

From the website:

Over the course of an evening, the diners enhance the function and value of their city’s public space by participating in the unexpected.

Beyond the spectacle and refined elegance of the dinner itself, guests are brought together from diverse backgrounds by a love of beauty and good taste.

Le Dîner en Blanc recalls the elegance and glamour of court society, and diners engage one another knowing they are taking part in a truly magical event.

There are no disruptions: no car traffic, no pedestrian traffic, except for the occasional amazed and astonished looks from passersby at the scene unfolding before them. And we, as they, wonder whether it’s all not a dream…

So, next Thursday, expect flashes of hungry people dressed in white running with plates, utensils and chairs to get their fill of this crazy version of a flash mob. Want to be part of the fun? Tickets cost between $25-$35 and registration closes on Friday, August 10, so click here to reserve your spot!

Diner en Blanc started in Paris in 1988, and has since expanded globally to 20 cities across five continents, and Paris Diner en Blanc now attracts up to 15,000 people. This will be Boston’s first Diner en Blanc – can it become a dining staple like that of Paris?

For more, check out the Diner en Blanc – Boston Facebook page.

from BostInno http://bostinno.com/2012/08/09/diner-en-blanc-boston/

YouTube video editing brings in real-time previews, trims UI down to the basics

YouTube video editing brings in realtime previews, trims UI to the basics

YouTube's video editing suite is officially a toddler in human years, so it's about time that it grew a little more beyond learning how to walk and talk. By far the most conspicuous sign of maturity is a new real-time preview that shows edits and filter options as you play -- you'll now know if that effects filter at 1:37 is festive or just gaudy. The overall interface is also a little more buttoned-down with a simpler interface that cuts back on unnecessary clutter. YouTube has been rolling out the editor update in recent hours and may have wrapped up by the time you're reading this, which we'd take as a cue to start producing that streaming masterpiece.

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YouTube video editing brings in real-time previews, trims UI down to the basics originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 11:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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from Engadget http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/09/youtube-video-editing-brings-in-real-time-...