Mutt Media | The Daily Bone 9.23.09 Guest Blogger, Jake Schlessinger on the just-announced Microsoft Courier

Today’s installment is provided courtesy of my son, Jake. He’s into technology of all kinds and is really pumped about Microsoft’s announcement today about the Courier, which looks to be a fantastic product and one that I have been waiting for. Since I like to encourage him and I happen to be on board with where his interests lie, I invited him to be my first Guest Blogger.

Just an aside, I have to give him a plug for the video he made which has become something of a sensation with over 65,000 views on YouTube. Click here to check out CODFreek’s Top 10 Call of Duty Weapons.

If you like what you read and his insights, please leave a comment…I’ll be sure he gets it. So, without further adieu…

Microsoft announces in-development Tablet

Today while going through my normal subscriptions on YouTube, I found a video from one of my favorite YouTubers, SoldierKnowsBest, who does a bunch of reviews and gives you updates on the latest and greatest in the tech-world.

photo courtesy of telegraph.co.uk

Usually he favors Apple products so if he makes a video about a Microsoft product, you know it’s something to look in to. Today he posted a video about the just-announced Microsoft Courier. This is a revolution to multi-touch products. It is essentially a double tablet, which means that it has two 7-inch multi-touch screens that fold into the shape of a book. It is similar to the iPod Touch but has many more advancements to it. Although it is just a late-prototype, if it comes out to be as good as it looks, it will be the next must-have product.

Take a look at this; it’s so cool.

Expected launch date late I hear is sometime in 2010 or 11, but you know how these things go. They are calling this a “late prototype” but the video above seems like it’s just a computer-generated animation. Still, I’m psyched. Apple doesn’t really preview their products which maybe just makes them smart….this way, we are surprised and wouldn’t know if something that was “leaked” didn’t quite get off the ground.

This has been Jake Schlessinger reporting for Mutt Media.

You stay classy San Diego.

Mutt Media | The Daily Bone 9.15.09 Ryan Seacrest meets with Ben Stiller, interrupting his Twitter Sesh

OMG…I really love Ben Stiller and have for a looooong time – Flirting with Disaster is one of my all time favorites.

He and Ryan Seacrest made this short video about Twitter. Check it out. Oh, and if you do not require monetary numeration to do so, follow Ben on Twitter @redhourben.

Mutt Media | The Daily Bone 9.14.09 at 7AM top site: Yahoo Blog: Kanye Loses It at the VMA Awards

Top web site visit as of 7AM according To Alexa.com

When I went to sleep last night I plugged my phone into the charger and did a last check of my emails.

I saw a flurry of Facebook updates from friends who suddenly seemed really angry at Kanye West. No, I mean really angry. People calling him names and expressing their disbelief at his actions at the VMA’s (Video Music Awards).

I had spent the day working and the night watching True Blood, Hung and Entourage so I had no idea what the %$#%^&* was going on. So I did what any curious/lazy person would do at that moment. I updated my Facebook status to read, “what happened today? fill me in on the Kanye thing” (or words to that affect. Within minutes a friend sent me a YouTube clip. [Thank you ].

This is amazing to me. Amazing that Kanye was so rude and amazing that this was like the shot heard ’round the world.

I had the clip up here on this post but it’s been removed from YouTube by Viacom and AP.

Here’s the link to the most popular site according to the Alexa toolbar. He has subsequently apologized.

Have a nice day

Mutt Media | Daily Bone 9.13.09 Watch this cartoon from YouTube on Twitter From: "SuperNews!" An animated sketch comedy series airing on Current TV

Loving this video!

Got to give credit for one of my virtual classmates (Vanessa) at the New School for posting this video to our class blog and calling my attention to it.

This cartoon was posted on You Tube and is a funny commentary on all of the current chatter surrounding social networking, micro-blogging and the like.

Hope you enjoy it. Post your comments! Thanks, Vanessa

Mutt Media | Daily Bone 9.9.09 An old favorite: The Machine is Us/ing Us. Take a look at the (r)evolution of web 2.0

The Machine is Us/ing Us

No doubt some of my readers are familiar with this video, but even if you’ve seen it before, it’s great to watch.

Take 5 minutes out of your day and learn about the (r)evolution of web 2.0.

Let me know what you think. I never get tired of it!

Mutt Media | the Daily Bone 9.7.09 uSocial services to "buy" your Facebook friends

Mutt Media disusses stealth marketing using uSocial

Usocial was just launched but has already caused a stir. Facebook is claiming that uSocial violates its Terms of Service which prohibit users from sharing their passwords with a third party. What does this mean? A user can have their account taken down if an allegation such as this is proven. Mr. Hill has stated publicly that not only is this unlikely, but that

“Unless they actually say anything, unless they make it known to Facebook or Twitter that they’ve actually bought my services, there’s absolutely nothing they (Facebook or Twitter) can do.”…In the end the thing is that I’m not actually ever doing anything against the terms of service — it’s the actual users who purchases my services (who is),” he said.

Mutt Media | The Daily Bone 9.3.09 Ikea changes it's font typeface after 50 years. Will anyone notice?

Ikea changes font from Futura to Verdana

After 50+ years, the furniture store IKEA has changed it’s signature font from Futura to Verdana. For those of you who do not already know this (and why would you?), Verdana is a what we call web-friendly; this means that when you view it on your computer screen, it will appear as the designer intended and further, this will apply to all computer screens, using all browsers and operating systems.

With a font like futura, which was designed way before there was an internet, the words (or logo) will not look the same on the screen as it would in print. Then the designer must make a decision – what font would be a good replacement for the web?

Well, Ikea doesn’t need to worry about that any longer since Verdana is nothing if not consistant. Apparantly, this caused quite a stir on the internet. Google Ikea font change and you will see a host of articles from the Associated Press to Business Week and many assorted blogs.

Of course, I cannot present a piece of tech “news” without a little commentary.

While it seems on it’s face to be a somewhat insignificant news item, Corporate Identity is a really important component of any business. Ikea’s 50-year run with the Futura font has ensured that the logo and associated catalog, advertising and other printed media is instantly recognizable and associated with the Ikea brand.

Some of the online commentary has been in the vein of “who cares?” while others (typofile.com) proclaimed it “a bad day”. Change can be a very good thing, but when it comes to your corporate identity, you’d be surprised at how it can affect your customers and your bottom line.

Case in point – did anyone else notice the huge change in the Tropicana Orange Juice packaging? I did and I can say that it was lost on me. They have gone back since to get closer to their “roots” and it’s better now, but for awhile it was looking like the generic supermarket brand. Tropicana is a premium product and the package redesign simply did not reflect that. Consumers were in an uproar and so the decision was made to pull the plug on the new look.

Take a look and let me know which you prefer. No matter what your preference, we can all agree that the change was dramatic and the end result was not the desired one. No one wants their well-established brand to mistaken for something else.

A good lesson.

Re-designed Tropicana packaging

The preferred "oldie" version of Tropicana

Mutt Media | The Daily Bone 9.2.09 US Open cautions players against reckless Tweeting

US Open Officials say no to Twitter

Serena & Venus Williams each have one. So do Andy Murray and Andy Roddick. I am speaking today of Twitter and the warning from US Open officials about reckless tweeting by the players.

Ostensibly, their concern is the dissemination of “inside” information from the Courts and it’s effect on the game and illegal wagering. Judging from recent tweets from the players (click on their names above to go right to their Twitter page), this doesn’t seem to be a real issue.

Serena is busy plugging her new book, Venus is exciting about ringing the closing bell on the stock exchange and Federer keeps us plugged in on some pretty mundane goings-on such as checking his email and going to sleep. Roddick seems to enjoy his tweets and really engages. Here, he comments on the US Open “No Tweet” rule (10:28 PM Aug 28th from web):

i definitely respect the rule about inside info and on court, but u would seriously have to be a moron to send “inside info” through a tweet

But the US Open is actually being pretty proactive, given the online climate and the lack of forethought that is rampant in our online behavior. I know I sound preachy, but I cannot stress this enough, especially to my younger readers…be mindful of what you post online! At least make some small effort to think a little down the road. Do you want that angry post “out there” in perpetuity? I’ve seen the t-shirts that admonish, “Don’t drink & text”, which I think is both hilarious and great advice. The same rules apply to your photos and to your Tweets.

One of my Facebook “friends” recently made a really angry post about a family member that made everyone who read it really uncomfortable because there were clearly serious issues that needed to be discussed “offline” and not aired on the wall for all to see.

Open season on your life and every whim? Think before you press those keys and hit the “post” button.

Mutt Media | The Daily Bone 9.1.09 Special Announcement: "Beyond Facebook" article in Woodbury Magazine Fall '09 issue is now out

Mutt Media featured as Contributor in Fall 2009 issue of Woodbury Magazine. Check out article on page 84 "Beyond Facebook - Your primer for understanding the changing language on the World Wide Web"

I am so excited to announce the publication of Woodbury Magazine‘s Fall 2009 issue. Not only is this a publication that I personally support for all of their fundraising for wonderful causes (Autism, Breast Cancer), great parenting advice, fashion tips, buzz on hot new restaurants and vacation spots but now I have just one more reason to feel the love….the issue hitting stands now (I already grabbed mine at Country Carpets this afternoon) features yours truly as a Contributor!

Here’s me sharing:

Join in supporting the magazine’s fight against Breatst Cancer by attending their annual Cocktails for the Cure Event in October at Posh @ the Garden City Hotel. I go every year and it’s a wonderful night. Click here for more info.

Follow Woodbury Magazine on Twitter. Just click as I’ve provided the link.

The column I wrote talks all about social networking, your online image, privacy concerns on the internet and much more. All things that I discuss here every day but also full of current data and useful how-to’s for your web-based exploration.

I urge you to pick up your complimentary copy if you live locally and check it out!! I will be posting a downloadable pdf version shortly for my readers outside of the Long Island area. I also designed a brand new ad for Schlessinger Eye & Face that appears on page 33.

Today was also a big day as I sent out the first Mutt Media Newsletter via an email blast. If you did not receive it, that means you haven’t yet signed up and registered on my site. So go do that right now!!

If you’d like a copy of the email sent, just drop me a line and I will forward. Contact me at info@muttmedia.net.

Happy September