Filed under: Feature, TECHNOLOGY | Tags: Augtopia, Dennis Crowley, Digital Terrarium, Foursquare, Hangalong, ITP, Meetup, New York University, Online Communities, Show, Social network, Socialdrinkster, Tisch School of the Arts, Venture capital
Got Tech?: The Spring ITP Show Does
Guest Writer: Erin Hauswirth
While many prodigal sons and daughters visited their mothers this past Sunday, nerd-do-well students, bloggers and window-shopping venture capitalists flocked to ITP’s Annual Spring Show.
The Interactive Telecommunications Program, an alternate media school in New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, is one part entrepreneurial think tank, one part guerilla hacker collective, creating new platforms across tech disciplines.
Geo-Social Frenzy
Given the recent success of alumnae like Foursquare co-founder Dennis Crowley and blogs a-twitter with big bets on New York City start-up culture, it’s no surprise that there were a number of event-based geo-social solutions at this year’s geek chic show and tell:
Hangalong.com
Oscar von Hauske and Vitaliy Dikker’s less-committal Meetup cousin, Hangalong.com, invites users to post activities that they want to do today and allows friends or strangers to join suggested “hangs” (e.g. “let’s go get a beer”). Rather than being venue driven, the site/mobile app is activity driven, tapping into the world of “what are you up to tonight.” While that eliminates the age-old problem of having more than one friend respond to the same invite, Hangalong’s success relies on the notion that sites like Hot Potato or Meetup are not being used for the same immediate gratification.
SocialDrinkster.com
Wallet friendly insta-Groupon from Brian Jones and Cindy Wong, Socialdrinkster.comcrowd-sources frugalistas to unlock freebies at local haunts. The SocialDrinkster network alerts members when there is a deal, at which point users can accept or reject the invite. If accepted, the invite unlocks a QR-friendly mobile coupon redeemable in-venue and starts a digital countdown clock that generates timely foot traffic for business owners. In other words, friends can stop warring over mayorships and enjoy cheap margaritas in peace.
A Bigger Trend in Augmented Reality
The explosion of interest in geo-social only points to a larger trend in augmented reality demonstrated by other innovations in the off-Broadway workspace — merging actual and virtual environments in order to make interactions with technology more tactile.
Michael Kneupefel and Noah Waxman’s Digital Terrarium displays images of ants on a wooden table that re-direct their path or cluster together when objects on the table are adjusted.
Nien Lam and Scott Wayne Indiana’s next-gen AugTopia superhero toys contain cubes in their tummies that can be adjusted to simulate different QR codes, generating new on-screen super powers with each combo when held up to a webcam.
ITP has always been internationally recognized for producing idea-led inventions that make tech ergonomic and accessible. And it seems simplifying science to the level of child’s play uncovers the most creative implementations of new tech.
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Filed under: Feature, ONLINE SERVICES/INTERACTIVE MEDIA | Tags: Adam Sandler, app, Butterball, Chef's Timer, Communities, Epic Change, Facebook, Flickr, Football, Gary Vaynerchuk, Gary Vee, iHost, iPhone, iVillage, Martha Stewart, NFL, Online Communities, Social media, Social network, Socialvibe, Tanzania, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Song, Turkey, Tweetsgiving, Twitter, Wine Library TV, YouTube
THANKSGIVING JUST GOT A BIT MORE SOCIAL
Making the Tasty Treats
The first year my mother tried to make a turkey, she apparently over-stuffed the bird and a turkey powder keg blew a hole through the oven door exploding precious white meat all over the wall of our kitchen. Being that I had heard this story on numerous occasions, my first attempt at bird making was very well planned.
Here are a few sites to help get you started using language even the most beginner chef can understand. As an added bonus, after several years of trial-and-error, the Marauder kitchen recommends sage butter (and lots of it) underneath the skin. Also, when attempting to brine, soaking a bird in the crisper overnight is probably not the best idea…
How-Tos:
Videos to impress the giblets out of your friends:
Amazing recipes itemized by course:
Wine Pairing
Gary Vaynerchuk from Wine Library TV offers 12 wine selections to pair with the bird, a somewhat more difficult wine-pairing item.
Giving Thanks
Tweetsgiving
Last year, Epic Change launched Tweetsgiving raising $11,000 for charity in 48 hours. Those donations were used to build a classroom in Tanzania. How’s that for giving thanks? This year, the bar has been raised to $100,000. While many are returning for their third plate of stuffing, Tweetsgiving will be raising awareness across social networks from YouTube to Twitter asking users what they are thankful for. Follow @tweetsgiving on Twitter and tweet about what you’re thankful for from now until the 27th using the hashtag “#tweetsgiving” at the end of your tweet.
Socialvibe
Socialvibe donates to charity by marketing brands such as Kraft, Timberland, and Powerbar. Every time a brand is successfully marketed, charity benefits. At first, I thought this sounded a little sleazy. But really, marketers scream for your attention on a daily basis. At least in this case, charities benefit somewhere along the line.
Download the Thanksgiving Feast App to play. Every time you add a meal to the table, a real meal is provided through the UN World Food Programme.
Setting the Mood: Best Thanksgiving Song
Sure, this song is old but no has yet to top Adam Sandler on the joys of Thanksgiving.
Talking Tryptophan
Yet again this year, you can get your thanks on via many of your favorite social networks.
Get real-time cooking advice from the Butterball team either on their Twitter feed or Facebook page.
What to do when mom locks herself in the bathroom because your 35-year old brother insists on making fart noises at the table? Butterball may not have the answer for that one…
Get your spirit on with 23,000 of your other friends on the Thanksgiving fan page.
Mobile App Fun
iHost: Thanksgiving
Developed by a Rhode Islander (big-ups to my home state), iHost helps you get organized from menu, shopping list to budget. Their most recent update supposedly added recipes from local Newport, RI chefs. A little Rhode Island flavor has come to southern California. Very nice.
Chef’s Timer
If you’ve cooked with your iPhone in tow, as I always do, you know the device only has one timer. In most situations, that works just fine. But, what about situations where you have three side dishes and a turkey crammed into your tiny NYC oven while your friends stare at your assortment of tiny snacks in disdain? Yup…there’s an app for that.
Thanksgiving = Football
For those of you who know me, you understand why this comes last in the list. I know next to nothing about football. I do know that the grunting emanating from living rooms countrywide leads me to believe that you all care. This year, the NFL is offering a central portal for all 3 Thanksgiving games.
From Marauder’s home to yours, have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
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- The TwitterKids of Tanzania (epicchangeblog.org)
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- How To Cook A Turkey: 7 Tips From Butterball University (huffingtonpost.com)
- Turkey tips from experts at Butterball University (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
- Brine Your Thanksgiving Turkey for Juicier Results [Food] (lifehacker.com)
- Recipes for a Vegan Thanksgiving (well.blogs.nytimes.com)
- How To Carve a Turkey (howcast.com)
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Filed under: Feature | Tags: Business, Calexico, Cupcakestop, Digital Media Jobs, Facebook, Food Trucks, Grilled Cheese Truck, Kogi, LA Food Trucks, Nom Nom, NYC Food Trucks, Online Communities, Pop music, RickshawTruck, SF Food Trucks, Social network, Trucks, Twitter, Uniform Resource Locator, Waffle Truck
GET YOUR TWITTER LIST ON: FOOD TRUCKS TO DIGITAL
So, like the masses, I’ve been getting down with Twitter’s new lists feature. Twitter lists allow users to aggregate Twitter users by subject from bicycle enthusiasts to music-related tweets. If you want some additional hand-holding on how to use Twitter lists, pop over to Mashable for a bit of an instructional.
In honor of this fun new resource, I put together some lists: 3 parts tasty (if you’re looking for a food truck) and 2 parts useful (if you’re job searching or looking for a digital lay of the land from the people who know). Click on the images and follow away.
Food Trucks
Digital
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- HOW TO: Use Twitter Lists (mashable.com)
- 6.5 Million Twitter Lists Created So Far (thenextweb.com)
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Filed under: WIRELESS | Tags: Brightkite, Foursquare, Gowalla, Location-based service, Loopt, Online Communities, Social network, Twitter
John Biggs from Techcrunch just got his hands on the the Twitter Peek aka the Tweek and he’s trying to figure out who, specifically, this is for. First, consider this his review: this device is not very good if you’re a Twitter “power user” like him or anyone else with maybe 100+ followers and a few hundred folks you follow. (Techcrunch 11/3)
When Loopt launched in 2006 it was ahead of a curve that is just starting to be recognized: Location. Now, with services like Foursquare, Gowalla, Brightkite and even Twitter fueling the location-based services frenzy, Loopt realized that it needed to shift its strategy a bit. Enter Pulse, a new feature launching today. (Techcrunch11/3)
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Filed under: Feature, ONLINE SERVICES/INTERACTIVE MEDIA | Tags: And/or, Facebook, Online Communities, Social network, Social network service, Twitter, web, Website
ONLINE VIDEO OF THE WEEK: TWOUBLE WITH TWITTERS
Many people ask me about Twitter and how they can use it. Here’s a little known fact. I actually don’t like Twitter. Until I noticed its promotional power for pushing traffic to my web site, I thought it was one more social networking tool in an already crowded world. This video is dead on. There are a whole lot of people screaming at a wall on Twitter and only a few people listening. But for those who want to listen, there is a wealth of information to be had; information which would better you and/or your business.
So get tweeting…but please don’t share intimate details of your sex life. It’s creepy… Oh yeah, and join the Daily Marauder twitter feed.
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- What is All This Tweeting About? (mmt.org)
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Filed under: Feature, ONLINE SERVICES/INTERACTIVE MEDIA | Tags: Earth, Earth Hour, On the Web, Online Communities, Social Networking, TECHNOLOGY, Time zone, Twitter
LIGHTS OUT: EARTH HOUR MARCH 28TH
Tomorrow, March 28th, turn your lights (and technology) out for one hour from 8:30 – 9:30 your local time in observance of earth hour. Luckily, I’ll still have mobile twitter on hand…
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Filed under: ONLINE SERVICES/INTERACTIVE MEDIA | Tags: Facebook, Federated Media, Google, Online Communities, Television advertisement, Twitter, web, YouTube
ONLINE SERVICES/INTERACTIVE MEDIA
Earlier this week YouTube launched a new feature for non-profit organizations called “Call to Action”, allowing these organizations to place special overlay ads on their videos free of charge. These overlays can direct viewers to the non-profits’ homepage, where users can elect to donate money, sign up for mailing lists, and interact with other members in the community. And unlike typical ads on YouTube (which video uploaders don’t generally have control over), non-profits can specifiy exactly which page they’d like to redirect to. (http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/03/27/special-youtube-ads-earn-nonprofit-10000-in-a-single-day 3/27)
GREAT for non-profits who are dealing with a particularly difficult economic climate. If you’re a non-profit, click the image below to be apply for the program.
Google is developing technology to connect its television-advertising brokering business to YouTube and eventually video on other Web sites. The Internet giant sees an opportunity to wrest business from traditional TV-ad sellers such as stations and cable companies. (Iwantmedia 3/27, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123809601439550709.html 3/27)
Facebook is said to be trying to secure some $100 million in debt financing to help cover leases for the growing number of computers it needs to operate. The social network’s user growth carries huge tech costs; Facebook is now the world’s largest photo-sharing site. (Iwantmedia 3/27, http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/mar2009/tc20090326_604141.htm 3/26)
Federated Media is unveiling MarchTweetness, sponsored by AT&T. The aggregation of tweets devoted to NCAA college basketball’s “March Madness” is the second Federated Media-Twitter program, following on the heels of Monday’s launch of ExecTweets. (Iwantmedia 3/27, http://venturebeat.com/2009/03/26/twitter-madness-comes-to-college-basketball/ 3/26)
Are these types of pages to be more prevalent to come? Will we have a separate page for every trending twitter subject?
ABC News is launching a daily 15-minute political webcast, “Top Line,” live on ABCNews.com. The webcast, featuring interviews and audience interaction, will be hosted by Rick Klein, political reporter and author of “The Note,” and political director David Chalian. (Iwantmedia 3/27, http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/190726-ABC_News_Plans_Political_Webcast.php 3/26)
CBSNews.com also added a new weekly interactive webcast powered by UstreamTV. Backstage Live offers viewers the chance to query the guests following their appearance on The Early Show, including the musicians who appear on the weekly “Second Cup Cafe” segment. Correspondent Cali Carlin and CNET Senior Editor Natali Del Conte will anchor the webcast, available on Saturday mornings from 7-10 am ET. (Cynopsis 3/27)
Everybody’s doing it. Even YouTube has succumbed to Twitter mania. Below every video if you click on the “Share” link you will find three options: MySpace, Facebook, and now Twitter. You can expand the box for even more sharing options, but those are the main three and Twitter was just recently added. (http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/03/26/youtube-adds-a-twitter-button 3/26)
Video screens are becoming increasingly ubiquitous in modern society, and adults are exposed to them for about 8.5 hours each day, according to a study by the Council for Research Excellence. While video pops up on everything from cell phones to the backs of airplane seats, the study found that viewers are most engaged when watching television and playing video games. The New York Times (3/26) , USA TODAY (3/26)
Thanks to the Internet, the U.S. film, television and electronic gaming industries are starting to see their economic foundations overturned, observers say. In Hollywood, “there is a sense that it may all be coming to an end and that the old business models can’t survive.” (Iwantmedia 3/27, http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/26/AR2009032603702.html 3/27)
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