.::|TheDish|::.

Ebay's The Inside Source

Last week, Ebay launched an online magazine called The Inside Source. According to Meredith Barnett, the sites editorial director, The Inside Source is targeted at the smart shopper “who is sophisticated, has a sensibility about fashion and lifestyle and may be familiar with eBay but maybe not the full extent of everything it has to offer.”

Within the Fashion, Tech, Pop Culture, Home & Garden, Entertainment, The Green Scene, and What's Hot Now sections on the site (called "Topics"), there's a variety of editorial pieces written by journalists and specialists highlighting the latest trends across many categories, which are somewhat like blog posts, with contextual links driving users to check out and hopefully purchase realated products on Ebay. Additionally, you'll find online interviews with noteworthy people within the various categories, also with links to purchase their favorite products on Ebay; a product endorsement so to speak.

So, I started to poke around on the site a little. Although the site is primarily focused on fashion, as clothes and accessories are Ebay's biggest revenue generators, there's definitely a lot of content across a broad range of categories. Considering the breadth of content, they do a pretty good job at organizing it and the site is easy to navigate; it feels a bit like an interactive gossipy glossy :). 

Being from Boston, the story on Barbara Lynch in the Home & Garden section attracted my attention. Since I'm a regular at some of her eateries here in town, I also immediately recognized the error in the first paragraph of the article: "her Boston-based company, Barbara Lynch Gruppo, owns a variety of food-related businesses in the area: critically acclaimed restaurant No. 9 Park; South End eatery B&G Oysters, which shares a space with fancy cocktail bar Drink...". Oops, not trying to be too critical here, but B&G and Drink are in 2 totally different neighborhoods.** Update - I left a comment regarding this, and they promptly corrected it, so props to The Inside Source for listening to their readers :) **

Overall, it's nice to give Ebay a voice, and being a bargain shopper myself, this site serves as a gentle reminder that I should run a quick Ebay search to see what I may find next time I am in the market for that special something. With sites like Gilt Groupe and Rue La La being front and center in the competitive discount online fashion retail space, I am curious to see how this site evolves and what it does for Ebay.com, and if they see ROI by attracting more of those savvy shoppers they are after.

Zoe Cuisine

You may recall my announcement of the Sutton Garden Club blog a while back (my mom's blog), and I recently also helped a friend out with the launching of her blog, Zoe Cuisine (though in all fairness, she did almost all herself!). Zoe recently left the daily grind of her 9-to-5 job to follow her passion for cooking, and enrolled in the Culinary Arts program at Boston University. The 14-week class is taught by working chefs and professionials in the industry, so she is getting some of the best hands-on training available in the city. She subsequently launched the Zoe Cuisine blog to tell the story of her culinary adventure and share her favorite creations with the rest of us foodies and other folks who are simply searching for new innovative ideas for experimentation in the kitchen. Be sure to bookmark her site, as she updates it (almost) daily.

OpenTable iPhone App

Calling all mobile foodies! OpenTable, the premium website for making restaurant reservations, has just introduced an iPhone application that will:

• Find your current location and the 20 closest restaurants
• Offer real-time table availability 
• Book free, instant, confirmed restaurant reservations 
• Deliver directions to a restaurant 
• Email reservation details to friends

And the best part of all, it is a free app!

Download here.

[image via OpenTable newsletter]

Griffin Elan Form Cork iPhone Case

I was up in Sonoma sipping some wine this past weekend with a colleague, and she had one of these Elan Form Cork iPhone cases from Griffin Technologies. I love it and it was so fitting for wine country conversation! It's made from real cork, the perfect accessory for a wine lover like moi. It's not available for the 3G iPhone, so Griffin, get on it will ya?

I Love My iPhone

Thanks to everyone who voted on my iPhone vs. Blackberry poll. Even though the results were:

Blackberry: 64%
iPhone: 32%
Other: 4% (wait there is an "other"?)

... I went against my reader's votes. Sorry! Why? Well there's a few reasons. I work on a MacBook now, and I love it, and therefore my iPhone naturally syncs better with iCal, my contacts, and email. Also, it couples business with entertainment, which I think sort of defines me. And last, but not least, it combines technology and fashion: it's powerful and beautiful.

I'll keep you posted on my iPhone experience. I went with the 16GB white version, and so far I think it rocks and was well worth the (rather painful) wait last night.

Bad Blogger

I know it, and I admit it: I have been a BAD blogger lately. Honestly, I have been so busy with work and other commitments that I have chosen, and needed, to take a break. So, I apologize, and I promise to be back soon, so please continue to check-in with me!!!

Bots Push Zappo's Many Steps Ahead

I am in love with the Zappo's brand. They are steps ahead of their competitors in so many ways: free shipping, both ways; they embrace social media, evident by their participation in Facebook & Twitter; and are transparent, and run by real people. So I was not so surprised to see that they are utilizing innovative technologies to improve their already expeditious service. Check out these bots, from the Kiva Systems’ Mobile Fulfillment System, at the company's storage warehouse, in charge of moving and managing the inventory of shoes, clothing and accessories.

Gotta love a brand that values its customers and continues to seek new ways to improve their service. What's next, same day service :) ?

[via PSFK]

Read At Work (Without Getting Caught)

Do you wish sometimes you could just read a book at work if bored, and no one would say a thing? Well, now you can, thanks to the launch of the New Zealand Book Council's Read At Work website. They have developed a full-screen site that mirrors the generic Windows desktop, and within the file folders placed below a faux "Trash Can" and "My Computer" icon, you'll find poetry, short stories, and even the novella "Animal Farm" by George Orwell. Each literary piece is presented in fake PowerPoint format, complete with the text organized in bullets, boxes and arrows. The NZ Book Council created the site to promote reading and increased accessibility to books.

Now, I don't really have down time at work lately, and if I do any reading these days, it's primarily industry news which is acceptable workplace reading; plus, I am on a Mac and I use Keynote, so this site would probably attract more attention than mask it (maybe a Mac version is V2?). Nevertheless, the site still made me chuckle, and there are plenty of idlers out there sure to reap the benefits.

iPhone vs. BlackBerry

I have a problem. I am typically pretty good with decision making, but I can't decide which phone to get next: the BlackBerry Curve 8310 (I had the 8820 last and absolutely loved it and this is a step up) or the next iPhone (if rumor proves true, it will be out within the next 60 days). You make think this is silly but it's a huge dilemma! I have a MacBook for work, which has been quite an adjustment but I have grown to love, and everyone has an iPhone as it synchs best with iCal (which blows btw) and Apple products in general, but I keep hearing that the iPhone's touch screen is terrible for typing, and the audio quality when speaking is sub-par; however, as an entertainment device, it kicks ass, and as we all know, it is way "cooler". Meanwhile, the BBerry Curve (note its NOT the Pearl) is a solid business device, and while BBerry has had its difficulties over the last couple years, it's overall the best phone I have ever had. So, I need a phone that's strong for business but also for fun. It's the classic battle: iPhone vs. BlackBerry:

Chel Bella Style Blog!

I am so excited to share my friend Chelsea's blog with with all my fashionista readers! Introducing: Chel Bella Style! The owner of the uber-hip Chel Bella boutique in Hingham, MA, Chelsea brings posts on the latest fashion trends, style tips, and the freshest arrivals at her shop. It is so great to see small businesses embracing and leveraging the power of communication through blogging. Be sure to check it out, bookmark it, leave a comment, and make a trip to Chel Bella to spice-up that spring wardrobe!

Women Outnumber Men Online: You Go Girls!

I am so jazzed to see that, according to eMarketer's latests stats, the number of women online will continue to outnumber the number of men. "In 2008, 100.4 million females and 93.5 million males will go online at least once a month," according to the article.


I also found these stats particularly interesting: 68% of all females ages 3+ and 65% of males 3+ will go online at least once a month in 2008, and 35% of online teenage girls have blogs (yeah!), while 20% of online males do, according to eMarketer. The article credits a few variables that probably do attribute to the female skewing stats, such as a greater female population than male; but, I'd just like to recognize how more and more females are becoming online & technical savvy (including my Mom!), and as the digital natives grow-up, I bet that we will see more and more women rise to leadership roles in technical fields, a sector that has been skewed male to date. You go girls!

[stats and chart via]

Finally! A TypePad Widget That Opens Links in a New Window!

Yes, you heard that correctly. TypePad, my blogging platform-o-choice, has come out with a widget that automatically opens all external links in a new window! I have often wondered how many visitors & readers I have lost becuase this feature did not exist. It's super easy to install the invisible snippet of code. Check it out.

Thanks TypePad!

The Secret Underground Guide to Social Media for Organizations

I, like pretty much everyone in the digital marketing industry, have been talking about (& listening to) social media tactics & strategies a lot lately, both at work and within my personal life. I am a huge advocate of experimentation with social media by companies, brands, organizations and individuals within every industry, from those in the rigid, complex bureaucratic sectors like healthcare, to the individual entrepreneur opening their first shop or forming a club or organization in a small town. What I find challenging is getting people who are not digital natives, marketers or innovators to be comfortable with social media, helping them understand the plethora of social media tools that they have at their fingertips, and how they can experiment with and utilize specific ones to understand their customer needs and concerns, promote their brand, sell more products, make money, etc.

So, I was listening to a new media podcast the other day, and was directed to The Secret Underground Guide to Social Media for Organizations (pdf), by Colin McCay of canuckflack.com. I am not going to strip excerpts out of the 23 page document, as it's really a quick read - like 20-30 minutes quick. McCay provides valuable tips that will help me talk about social media and get the conversation started with people not already engaged and thinking about the topic. Also, he writes in a direct way without a lot of marketing speak (ok, some, but not a lot), so you don't need to be knowledgeable in the space to gain some great takeaways. If you are interested in social media, and how to implement a tactic in your organization or start the conversation, I suggest you download it.

OK, I guess I fibbed. I am going to pull this little tidbit from his guide. It's a quote by Dale Carnegie that I just really, really enjoyed:

 

The City Car, by MIT

This adorable, itsy-bitsy City Car was designed by the MIT Media Lab and is coming to the streets of Boston near you, very soon! The shared vehicle boasts a few great environmental and technological (and convenience) advancements: an electric motor; no tailpipe emissions; it's almost silent; omnidirectional robotic wheels (think O-turn instead of U-turn); foldable and stackable design; compact frame, about 8' long, and under 5' folded. I feel both excited and somewhat concerned about this little guy, and here's why:

The pros:

• Ultra-compact yet *roomier* - same front cabin space as a BMW 3 Series
• Space saver - folds up like a baby carriage and stacks like a shopping cart
• Makes parallel parking a cinch - the wheels rotate 360 degrees!
• Energy Efficient and almost silent - leverages "green" technologies like solar panels & energy cells
• Equipped with GPS navigation and helpful traffic advice delivered from the Central System
• Software that changes the color of the cabin, sets your preferences & the dashboard look & feel
• Designed in Boston (well, Cambridge!)
• Super cute!!

The potential cons/concerns

• How safe is this thing? Looks like it could be a total death trap amongst Boston's inadequate driving population!
• It's almost silent, which adds to the bullet above; they'll never see or hear you!
• How many City Car rechargeable stacking stations will there be peppered throughout the city? I am always in a rush and convenience is key.
• Will people use it and embrace it or will they opt for famliar taxi, train, foot, or their own car over the City Car?
• How much does a spin cost?

Apparently GM is a believer, and is funding part of the $6 billion/yr R&D budget on MIT projects such as this. I am excited and eager to see the launch of the City Car in Boston, but as you can see, I have some reservations.

What do you think? Feel free to leave your comment here!

[Images and content via]

To All B-Berry Addicts: Tips for Coping

My colleague Mike just passed this on, in response to yesterday's RIM "incident":

9 Tips For Coping With The Next BlackBerry Outage:

1. Always keep a spare fiber-optic cable with tin cans attached to each end.
2. Take a deep breath, stretch, and count to 20. When you're relaxed, you can throw your BlackBerry much harder.
3. Acquire an advanced degree in telecommunications engineering, so you can decipher the eventual explanation from RIM.
4. Call your local Homeland Security office and threaten to blow it up in the name of Holy Jihad. Then the BlackBerry outage will be the least of your worries.
5. While they may not be fast, today's carrier turtles are more reliable than ever.
6. Use your writing or photography skills to chronicle the tragedy for future generations. The world must never forget.
7. Consider learning semaphore.
8. Take advantage of the accompanying chaos to loot an iPhone.
9. If you experience feelings of murderous rage, remember: incompetent buck-passing millionaire executives are people, too.

Hilarious!!!

[Via Woot]

Another BlackBerry Disaster

About 12 million people use BlackBerry's for a plethora of purposes: advertising execs on the road; crime stoppers units withing urban police departments; emergency personnel saving lives; traders on The Street. And you mean to tell me that there is another outage in under a year? And it's not the mobile operator's at fault?!

Report after report detailed today's RIM outage, stating that the troubles began at about 3:20PM EST, with very little detail beyond that. According to the NYT, "representatives of several North American carriers said they were told by Research in Motion, the BlackBerry maker, that a significant failure had occurred somewhere in the servers it operates to connect the popular hand-held devices with the Internet. The carriers were told that all operators in North America were affected but not all customers."

Apparently during the last outage in April of '07, not all emails were recovered. I love my BlackBerry - well, most of the time - but this is not at all acceptable; and although people may have brushed the first incident under the carpet, I have a feeling this will not go as unnoticed for RIM. C'mon guys, get it together!

[image via}

Underwater Digital Interface Sends Text Msgs... Yes, Underwater!

You may chuckle at the thought of sending an underwater text message but I think this is a brilliant invention, not because I am a passionate mobile marketer and a true believer in mobile, but rather because I am a passionate - and safe- scuba diver. The device is called a UDI (Underwater Digital Interface), brought to ocean depths near you by the Underwater Technology Center, and it features a:

• Two-way digital text messaging communicator
• Diver SOS and Remote SOS
• Homing tool
• Compass
• RGBM Diving computer including PC simulator
• Diving logger PC connectivity

A series of networks apparently links up to 56 divers to their dive boat or land by way of a compact device that attaches to your arm or your inflater. Divers within the same network can communicate via a simple interface with both one another as well as with their home base while submerged.

I think this is a fabulous invention that is sure to add another layer of security while scuba diving. And if you are thinking about the idea of some folks using it for entertainment or purposes other than communicating danger or important messages while diving, well then those people probably shouldn't be scuba diving; after all, we are down there for a reason, and there's just far too much to be seen and to be missed.

How Well Do You Know Your World?

We all cringed during the 2007 Miss Teen USA pageant when Caitlin Upton of South Carolina attempted to answer the question about why many American's cannot locate the US on a world map (see video here if you dare!). So, let's play a game, and see how well you know your world. Click here or on the image below to play the game... enjoy!

Alicia Keys (and More) MySpace Hack

I am not a MySpace user, but to those who are, please beware:

MITX Awards: Boston Crime Stoppers Text-A-Tip

UPDATE: We won for Best Use of Mobile!

We have been selected as one of four finalists in the Massachusetts Innovation & Technology Award's (MITX) "Best Use of Mobile" category, in conjunction with our Agency partner Hill Holliday, for our Boston Crime Stoppers Text-A-Tip program.

Learn more about the program here.

Wish us luck tonight!

[Images courtesy of MITX and HHCC]

Lemonade @ Web Innovators

Last night I attended my first Web Innovators Group meeting, at the Royal Sonesta in Cambridge, MA. This is a spectacular networking schmoozing event, targeting those individuals who are passionate about Mobile and Web technologies and innovations, and thirsty to learn what local start-ups and young minds in the space are up to. The evening featured a mingling cocktail hour, where attendees can visit the various tables set-up around the perimeter of the ballroom, showcasing innovative products and services, followed by a series of "main dish" demos (5 minutes) and "side dishes" (about 1 minute) presentations from local entrepreneurs and self-funded start-ups, such as iiProperty, Flipkey, Mix and Meet and 360Gadget to name a few; also, they introduced "nibbles", quick 30 second max speeches/introductions from individuals who want a moment in the spotlight to hopefully spark further conversations with folks interested in their technology, service, or "big idea".

By far, my favorite product demo was by Tom Zawacki, CEO and co-founder of Lemonade. This web-based, and soon to be mobile-based, application allows users to create and customize their own personalized "Lemonade Stand", add products of personal interest from a LARGE catalog to the stand, and add the stand to their personal blog, Facebook page or other digital social community and actually earn commission on the sales. The best part: its just a few simple clicks and you are live.

So, I gave it a shot, and below (and to the right) you will see my personal lemonade stand, called "TheDish Boutique". Take a shop around inside, through the selection of food and wine realted products perfect for your holiday entertaining. I'll update the boutique with different items regularly. And if you have a sec, pop over to the Lemonade site, and create your own! What an innovative way to converge ecommerce and the digital community space; oh, and it's a lot of fun! Nice going guys!

An Amazing Wiikend

This weekend, the beau and I traveled to Westchester County, NY to spend some long overdue time with one of my best friends and her husband. There, we were introduced to the Nintendo Wii; I am not at all a gamer, but the Wii kicks ass! Yes, its primitive from a graphics perspective - no life-like Halo 3 for sure - but its physical, interactive, somewhat unpredictable, and most definitely addictive entertainment!!! Oops, I forgot to say dangerous!

We played golf, bowling and tennis- I know you are asking, "how dangerous can that be"? Well, I am now battling the "Wii Arm", a sharp pain in my shoulder blade and arm as though I forgot to stretch before an intense workout. Thankfully, all the pain managed to yield some reward - I won one tennis match against those damn Wii characters. In chatting with other Wii-ers, I caught wind of a few websites devoted to Wii related incidents, accidents and foolery such as Wii Injury and Wii Have a Problem. And its clear that my injuries are wii ones in comparison to these por folks - ouch (image courtesy of Engadget):

It's hilarious, and painful. I am the first to say that Wii brought out the spastic, accident-prone best in myself and I can't wait to bring that excitement to my living room soon!

The Real Fake Steve Jobs

Ok, so this post is probably long overdue and a tad stale for some readers, but I must say, I can't stop reading The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs. For those of you who don't know the story, shame on you.... kidding. Just read the blog and check out the FSJ identity revealing video on Forbes.com.

The brilliant man behind the Apple-infused satire is Boston's own Daniel Lyons, also a Sr. Editor for Forbes. Despite his anonymity and the mystery being exposed by the New York Times last month, I still just cannot get enough of his writing and can't wait for his book, "Options: The Secret Life of Steve Jobs, a Parody!", to hit the shelves this October.

TECH Cocktail Boston

Thursday night I attended the first Boston TECH Cocktail night with a colleague and Product Manager, Aleks. The event, sponsored by Compete, Geezo, ZoomInfo, and North Bridge, drew-in approximately 4-500 attendees, including many entrepreneurs, start-up technologists, bloggers, mobile enthusiasts, and more for an evening of cocktailing, mingling and networking. 

I saw some interesting product demos and had a few lengthy conversations with some mobile industry folks: former m-Qubers, the guys from Geezo, the folks at Veveo and Mobicious. A special thanks goes out to Dayna of North Bridge for inviting me to TECHCocktail!!

I am now looking forward to meeting more mobilists, and getting my mobile technology fill, at the next Mobile Monday on the 17th.

The Pre iPhone LG Prada Phone

I love it when a reader comments on my blog and corrects something I have incorrectly reported in a post. It only makes me smarter. So thanks, Drive a Faster Car reader, for introducing me to the Prada phone by LG. LG was actually the first bigwig to introduce an iPhone-like mobile device (in the UK, France, Germany and Italy), not Nokia as I reported; the Prada phone actually came out in February just before the iPhone's grand entrance.

Unfortunately, the Prada phone by LG is not available in the US as its on a limited tri-band GSM. According to Engadget, it doesn't seem to quite stand up to the almighty iPhone, but man is it sexy looking! The phone, that is!

Nokia - One of the First Bigwigs to Challenge the iPhone

As reported by the New York Times, "Nokia said on Wednesday that it would soon introduce its own digital music service, along with an easier-to-use Apple-style mobile interface and an Apple-style touchscreen handset."

Since the new Nokia devices will be very i-Phone-esque, I am sure the Apple loyalists will do some finger-pointing and claim this an iPhone copy-cat attempt. According to Anssi Vanjoki, head of the Nokia multimedia division, “I don’t know what is copying and what is original but if there is something good in the world, we copy it with pride.” I like that. But Nokia may in fact also be proud as one of the front-runners in race for the most powerful device; they are in-fact doing something that has not been done before - wait, something that Apple has not done? Yes! iTunes users must download songs from the Web to their iTunes and then sync their iPhones or iPods. However, with the Nokia Web service, to be called Ovi (a Finnish word for "door"), users will be able to purchase music online and download OTA, directly to their Nokia mobile device; it’s the perfect example of the convergence of technologies and where we all know we are headed.

But Nokia may be bullying more than just Apple. Think about the impact this may have on the carriers, who have their own music services featuring content download. I assume this is not a welcomed technology from their perspective. Analysts ask, will operators disable this Ovi feature on Nokia phones they offer or stop carrying Nokia? Perhaps, but for a manufacturer that sells 400 million phones per week and has about 1/3 of the market, they may think twice.

Of course these new handsets will first roll-out in Europe, so we can sit back and watch the battle of iNok overseas. So many aspects of the mobile landscape remain uncertain, but one thing is definite: they have our attention.

VeriSign, Verizon, and YouTube Hit the Press

Congrats to my Engineering colleagues who have been burning-up the mobile headlines over the last couple days with their contribution to consumer generated content!

• Verizon Wireless Customers First To Upload Videos To YouTube Using Multimedia Messaging
• Verizon First to Offer Direct Video Upload to YouTube
• Upload videos to YouTube with a Verizon phone

Simply head over to YouTube Mobile, update your personal profile with your mobile number, shoot a video with your Verizon phone, then send your video to the YTUBE shortcode (98823). Add a subject and some copy into the message body if you chose to share with the community.

This is via the MO MMS technology; and its the first of its kind in the nation. Hats off guys for once again leading the industry in innovation.

Would you buy the iPhone?

In the spirit of the week of the iPhone, I'd like to conduct a poll:

Redefining the Blackberry: Meet the 8800

I just received, through my employer, the new Blackberry 8800 from Cingular and at&t (not sure what to call it these days, as its branded Cingular but we all know its the new at&t). I have to say, it's the sleekest Blackberry I have seen yet. Features include:

• Ultra-thin full QWERTY stylish design
• Work and personal email pushed to your BlackBerry
• Built-in Global Positioning System supports TeleNav GPS Navigator
• AT&T (PPT) one button lets you see who's available before you call; talk with one person or a group*
• Supports expandable MicroSD memory
• Get ring tones, voice activated dialing, conferencing, speakerphone and Bluetooth™ capability
• Media Player for music, videos, photos
• Fast web browsing
• Ultra thin and larger 1400 mAhr removable / rechargeable lithium battery for 5 hours talk time, 24 days standby time
• Travel in over 120 countries with global voice and data roaming
• Mobile Instant Messaging - Yahoo!® Messenger, AOL® Instant Messenger, & Windows Live ™ Messenger (available via MEdia Net download)

My Dings: In my mind, the only real minuses are the lack of a built-in camera, and truthfully, I am fine with that (though I've read reports that a 8800 w/ cam is coming out), and the fact that you can barely feel the vibration when the vibrate profile is selected.

The Praises: the full QWERTY keyboard; the slim & sexy design; GPS; international coverage; push email; the trackball navigation (LOVE this); a killer speakerphone.

It's like the Pearl, but for business folks. I never thought I'd say this, but I really love my Blackberry! I am interested to see how it performs in London and Vienna in a week. Stay tuned.

Mobile Phone Lemon Law

How bloody brilliant is this? According to Mopocket and the Chicago Tribune, the state of Illinois is proposing a mobile phone lemon law! According to the proposed law, if you are one of the 8.5 million wireless customers in Illinois holding a mobile device from any manufacturer, and you have to repair or replace that mobile device three or more times within your carrier contract, you are allowed to cancel your contract without an early termination fee; or, you may opt to upgrade or downgrade the mobile device without extending the agreement. Of course, any damage caused by you, such as water damage or shutting it in your car door (of which I have direct or indirect experience) is not covered. Living with a guy who owns - and way too often swears at - a Motorola Razr, this is great news! Please propose this law in the state of MA.. or better yet, improve the quality, durability, and technology behind all handsets so we can stop the headaches!

Regardless, I love the Illinois state rep behind this bill. Amazing, may we one day not feel as though we are incarcerated by our mobile phone operator contracts.

A Little Google Humor

A little humor for this dreary day (jeez, why do I feel like I broken record!?):

• Go to Google Maps
• Click on "Get Directions"
• Type in "Boston, MA" to "Paris, France"
• Check out step # 9

Funny.

R.I.P. With Your Mobile Phone

I am a mobile enthusiast, but this is just simply silly; getting buried in a mobile phone coffin?  Thanks Mopocket for bringing a little humor to this dreary day in Boston. For more creative coffin options to consider, check out Ga Carpenters of Ghana.

Get Your Daily Candy To Go!

We are seeing more and more brands recognizing that the way you and I search for information is changing. We are constantly on the go, whether its on our way to a business meeting, meeting friends or clients out for dinner, or squeezing in that cut & color at the salon. With the emergence of new technologies, we are seeking out the newest, quickest & easiest way to access the information that we need, immediately (be it news, weather, entertainment, directions, etc).

The mobile device is that newest technology that offers us access to information while we are on the go. Sure, the mobile phone has been around for quite some time, connecting you with friends and family while away from home; but its no longer just a phone, and that is where the "new" part of the technology kicks in. It is a device now - a tool - that connects us to the information we need when we don't have the time to find a hot-spot for our laptop (or room in our handbag to carry it around).

I was jazzed this morning when I saw the Daily Candy announce the launch of its new mobile WAP site. The URL hasn't changed, http://www.dailycandy.com, however the site has been optimized for your mobile device; and, the UI looks great! Of course, you have to have a data package on your device; however, more and more people are signing-up for one and really embracing its worth. Thanks DC for bringing me the wealth of info beyond the laptop, and further proving to those WAP disbelievers that its possible to create a mobile site rich with fabulous content coupled with a friendly user experience.

Blogging: Let's Talk

I love to blog. I get asked quite often why I blog. Do I make money? How do I have the time? What do I get out of it?

I don't make money; I find the time; and this is what I get out of it. Blogging to me is about communicating to anyone who wants to listen. It's about expressing my interests and passions, and seeing if there is anyone out there in the digital world who loves what I love, dislikes what I dislike, or loves what I dislike, yet wants to leave a comment (communicate), or to talk in-person, via IM or email (again, communicate). My posts have a broad range, from fashion & design, to Boston-area restaurant reviews, to technology and gadgets, to where I want to travel next. My blog is a communication vehicle for those thoughts and topics, with the purpose of talking to YOU about what I love in the hope that it facilitates a 2-way conversation or at the very least provides some added value to your life; it links me and my thoughts and passions with others sharing parallel thoughts and passions. It gets us talking.

I read an article in Business Week written by David Armano, a former Digitas colleague, author of the blog Logic + Emotion, and an all-around great guy. He hit the nail on the head: "It's the Conversation Economy, Stupid". That's the brilliant title of the article. David says "conversation leads to relationships and relationships lead to affinity". He states that we are all "communication architects" and that "when we find our friends on any social network (pick one) we swap stories about products and services we like or dislike. We share knowledge and expertise. We define a new kind of currency fueled by conversation and founded in meaningful relationships." To me, this is not just marketing speak, it's every day people speak.

So let's talk.

When someone thanks me for a referral, or has something to say about a cool new emerging technology that truly excites me, I feel like I have succeeded. I have gotten YOU and I talking; we have exchanged information, experiences. We have a "relationship".

That's what blogging is about to me. It's my favorite social network. I am not trying to sell anything; or make money; or ask others to believe what I believe. In fact, I like it when you don't, as it gets you and I talking. It’s just about sharing MY thoughts and experiences, whether its knowledge or expertise that I have gained or simply a narration of my emotions sparked from experiences, in the hopes that it triggers something in YOU.

I'm just using that *new* currency charged by conversation that David speaks about. To some people, this type of conversation and relationship/network building may be a bit foreign or perhaps scary. That's okay, you'll catch on.

Blow Up Your Treo

I dont' have a Treo; I don't want a Treo. I hear terrible things about the Treo. The devices crash, the audio is terrible, and the connectivity is a nightmare. Well, for those poor soles that have a Treo and can empathize with this, check out this video; and don't try this at home, just buy a more superior smartphone like the Blackjack.

The Mobile Phone Bar Code

I have been following QR Codes ("Quick Response Codes") for a while, longing for the day that US consumers, marketers, and the carriers grasp and use this powerful mobile technology. What are they? The codes, popular in Japan, are matrix codes, or 2-dimensional bar codes, that look like a black and white mosaic or a piece of contemporary art. The power of the codes, however, lies in its integration with the mobile phone, specifically one with a camera (which all phones pretty much have nowadays) and the QR reading software (nothing more than a simple download: check out http://www.getquode.com, or text the keyword “qode” to 66268 to see if your phone is enabled). Point your phone at the QR code, and the camera reads the pattern and stores the information, which may contain an embedded URL, a name and address, or any piece of text.

Now why, you may ask, would anyone want this? The codes digitally translate and record information from the physical world directly and seamlessly to your mobile phone. QR codes can run on print ads in your favorite glossies, in a newspaper, on billboards, on websites; pretty much anywhere in the physical world that you can stick a bar code. Scan it, and save the information immediately. Many people in Japan are including their QR code on their business card, so others can easily scan and store their contact info on their handheld. That kicks ass. The mobile phone - that anywhere-anytime device that you take daily inventory of with your keys & wallet before walking out the door - is no longer simply a communication (SMS, voice, etc.) or entertainment device (ringtone, video, photo, etc). It's a means to gain access to important, relevant information instantly; digitally; easily.

When I recently saw that the The New York Times Online has written an article in the Business section, I am hopeful that this technology may actually be coming to the US. As the article notes, "In Japan, McDonald’s customers can already point their cellphones at the wrapping on their hamburgers and get nutrition information on their screens. Users there can also point their phones at magazine ads to receive insurance quotes, and board airplanes using their phones rather than paper tickets. And film promoters can send their movie trailers from billboards. " There are a few key points in the article that I believe are critical to high adoption rates and the success of the technology in the States:

1. Consumers recognize that the mobile phone is the tool to combine the physical world with the digital world, and not just a communication and entertainment device.
2. Consumers need a reason to scan bar codes, they aren't going to just do it.

Once this technology is embraced by all, we will then see the distinction between the online, digital world & the physical world blur. Tim Kindberg, a senior research at the Bristol, England, lab of Hewlett-Packard captures the relevance and power of QR Codes in 2 words, the "physical hyperlink". Brilliant.

Naomi Campbell: Mobile Maddness

Thanks Engadget Mobile, for providing a little more Naomi Campbell humor. For those of you who have  not heard or just need a mind refresher, Ms. Campbell has been charged once with throwing her unidentified "jeweled" cellphone at her housekeeper, and a second time with attacking her personal assistant w/ her Blackberry. Well, today she began fulfilling her community service sentencing, at a NYC Lower East Side Sanitation Department warehouse, where she will scrub & clean for 5 days. Why does that just make me chuckle :)

I can't help but think that this would make a solid marketing campaign for Blackberry, as long as the device held up from the Naomi abuse.

My Meez: MoGirl

For all the tech obsessed & avatar addicted, check out Meez.com, and create your very own 3D I.D. Yes, its kinda brainless, but quite entertaining :). My latest and greatest animated friend, MoGirl (yes, for mobile) is featured in the upper right.

No SMS-ing & Driving

According to Mopocket, the Washington State House has voted to outlaw text-messaging while driving, and I think this is a GREAT idea. Don't get me wrong, I love SMS, and I can't imagine my life without it; but just like most things in life, there is a time and a place. And admittedly, I myself have taken the risk - sent an SMS while driving - then thought, what if someone simply cut me off or stepped in front of my car, I really would not have the time to react appropriately. If it takes the law to stop me, I guess I am on board.

The bill goes next to the Senate, so it has not been passed as of yet; and apparently there will typically be a $101 traffic infraction charge for offenders.

Cellfire

As you may know, I strongly believe that mobile is the place to be in interactive marketing... globally. Although the US is still playing catch-up to many European and Eastern markets, things are really starting to heat-up nationally and mobile is taking on new meaning to consumers above and beyond ubiquitous text messaging (SMS) programs.

To all you shopaholics and bargain shoppers, take a look at Cellfire. Its a free, secure service that stores coupons on your mobile phone (yes, *stores* is key; no SMS spam). Here's how it works. Go to Cellfire.com, sign-up for free, and access coupons via your mobile phone, specific to your geographic location. Just make sure that your handset is supported.

Right now there are only a couple merchants that would be of interest to me personally, and I am not sure exactly the types of discounts that are offered (yes, I just signed-up), but this illustrates the personalization, reach and power of the mobile phone once again.

** As a reader just commented, you must have a data plan to use Cellfire.

Bye Bye Twitter

Ok, that was short-lived. I am already bored with Twitter. Although I have done some networking, and met a couple cool people via the tool (hey Brad!), I just don't feel inclined to keep people updated as to my daily life... I like a little privacy, eh? Also, the site does not incorporate a search functionality, so you really have no clue who else is on. Bizarro.

So, bye bye to Twitter for now :)

Twitter: Its What's Hot In Social Networking

If you are a social networker, you know that Twitter is the chatter around town; and after cracking up at my buddy David Armano's post today, I decided to sign-up, bite the bullet and add a badge to my blog (look to the right-sidebar) . Now, you can pop-in and see real-time updates about what I am up to at any time of the day. Let's see how it goes; its fun at first, but we'll see if I really get into it :)

Bucks goes Mobile

I love coffee, and I happen to love Starbucks, despite is ubiquitous presence. Well, I love the brand more for staying on top of marketing trends and technology, specifically within the emerging emerged mobile space which has consumed my interest lately. As reported by CNET News, to locate a Starbucks near you, simply send a SMS (text message) with your zip code to "MYSBUX" (697289). I tried it out, and received three locations close to my home: Tremont, Westin/Copley and Marriot/Copley, each containing a link to the Starbucks WAP deck, with a map to that specific location.

If you don't know the zip code of your current location, you are out of luck; that's my only problem with the campaign. Perhaps incorporating a zip code or a city keyword would assist those caffeine addicts on the road without access to the current - or neighboring - zip code.

We are seeing more and more brands incorporating this "locator" functionality, maximizing the ease of access to information for the on-the-go consumer with a mobile device.

The Dish on outside.in

Just a quick update to my last post. TheDish is officially listed on Boston's outside.in. I hope this will increase the number of daily visits and loyal readers :)

outside.in

Steven Berlin Johnson Johnson (Feed Magazine, Plastic.com) and  while John Geraci (Neighbornode.net, Pheeder.com, Foundcity.com) have just launched a local blog aggregator called Outside.in, that extracts local news, events and information from blog feeds across 63 cities and 3,217 neighborhoods in the US (for now).

I briefly jumped on the Boston Outside.in site this morning, long enough to submit TheDish as a local blog featuring Boston and the South End posts; I just tried again, and the site seems to be "experiencing heavy traffic". 

Pretty cool concept and a fabulous way to stay connected to your community, and I look forward to checking back in soon.

A Little Love For My BlackJack

Thanks, Engadget Mobile, for letting me know that Cingular is adding life to our beloved Samsung BlackJacks. The one complaint that I have heard about this Windows Mobile based smartphone is that the battery life is quite weak; I see this if I use heavy apps or if I'm roaming. So, our caring friends at Cingular are giving away extended batteries! Have you ever hear of such a thing without a "catch"? This offer is available on all Blackjacks purchased with only the two standard batteries. I am going to swing by a Cingular shop today to pick up my new battery. If you want to make sure your handset qualifies for this offer, check your IMEI number by either typing *#06# on phone keypad, looking under the battery, or checking the print on your box. IMEI numbers between 352794010030189 to 352794012269959 are qualified.

Thanks Cingular and Samsung for the extra lovin' :)

Drumroll... My Best of 2006

Below lists a few of my personal noteworthy bests of 2006 in areas that interest me. Although some of these were not necessarily new this past year, they undoubtedly had an impact on me or are are of particular interest to me, in one way or another...

RESTAURANTS::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Stella Modern Italian

Toro: Spanish/Tapas

Oishii: Japanese/Sushi

MUSIC:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Justin Timberlake: FutureSex/LoveSounds

Beck: The Information

FASHION:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

1980's Style: Belts, layers, and gold

Skinny Jeans: Sexy and feminine

Flats: Perfect for us tall peeps

TECHNOLOGY::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Second Life The virtual world game & its impact on brands & marketing - wild.	Social Networking Connecting you, me + everyone like never before.	The blogoshpere The birth of TheDish and the beginning of an addiction.
Google Earth: Free downloadable virtual earth program; zoom in anywhere in the world!	Skype: Launch of mobile VoIP service w/ mobile operator 3; will we say bye to big phone bills?!	Nintendo Wii Wireless remote that can detect motion and rotation in three dimensions - so cool.
Netvibes The best aggregator on the market, complete with a tabbed UI and drag and drop feature	Gmail Despite the latest bad rap, still my webmail of choice b/c of 2GB storage and conversation grouping	Wikis For collaborative website authoring such as my fav Wikipedia

I could go on and on, but this post is getting far too long :)

TIME Magazine Person of the Year: You

Congratulations! You have been named the TIME Magazine Person of the Year "for seizing the reins of the global media, for founding and framing the new digital democracy, for working for nothing and beating the pros at their own game," according to TIME. "The winners this year were anyone using or creating content on the World Wide Web."

OK, I get it, but I can't help but to be a tad disappointed. Yes, 2006 was a breakthrough year in the digital community as we watched the web turn upside-down, as consumers collectively grabbed the reigns and changed the face of interactive marketing and brands as a whole. It's about consumer-generated content: YouTube, MySpace, Second Life, the blogoshpere, RSS, and Wikipedia. It's about you and me, and the world, staring at our laptops in a completely different light; and as an interactive marketer, its been - quite honestly -climactic! But I struggle with the authenticity of such a claim by TIME; it almost seems like a cop-out to me, like it was the easy way. And the following quote from Richard Stengel, who took over as Time's managing editor earlier this year, only reinforces my sentiment:

"If you choose an individual, you have to justify how that person affected millions of people. But if you choose millions of people, you don't have to justify it to anyone."

Share Your Look

I came across a new social networking site that taps into the fashion niche. Co-founded by fashion journalist Melissa Ceria (The New York Times, Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue), the beta site is called ShareYourLook, and it’s as literal as its namesake. You can simply create a profile, log-in, and upload photos of yourself in your favorite threads, or in that outfit that you aren't quite sure works for you. Others within the network can compliment, provide style tips, comment, etc. on your look.

An interesting concept for sure, and I can see its worth if, of course, you receive positive feedback. That can be a real ego booster and a confidence builder, we all know that. I am little queasy about the fact that people may be overly critical, and at times, down-right mean when commenting on other's photos; and that can have quite an impact on self esteem. Style is so subjective, often tied into personality, demographic, etc.; I am not sure how a photo and profile will represent this. Regardless, it will be interesting to see how or if this really takes off. I haven't set up a profile yet to poke around (no plan to upload a pic!), but I look forward to it.

Samsung 50" Plasma!

We decided it's time to make the investment in a new flat screen, and so we did :). Check out the new 50" Samsung Plasma HDTV that we will be perched in front of tomorrow eve, if everything goes as planned... yeah!!!