Mutt Media | The Daily Bone 11.30.11 Gmail abandons the Blackberry.

Research In Motion moves on from Blackberry

How many of have experienced a lack of access to your GMAIL account via the app on your Blackberry? As of November 22nd, this function will no longer be available – unless you have had it previously installed.

Those who have a lot of patience can access the web through their Blackberry and visit their Gmail account, but anyone who has ever had to access the web on their BB knows that this is not the best option as the web browser is agonizingly slow.

The following is an exerpt from an article that appeared in the Wall Street Journal on November 10th.

In a statement, RIM [Research In Motion] played down this development.

“Since 2009, RIM has incorporated native support for Gmail in BlackBerry [operating system] 5.0 and above, which means that a separate Gmail app is not required,” the statement said. “The large majority of users who access Gmail on their BlackBerry smart phone already rely on the native support (provided through BlackBerry Internet Service) rather than the separate Gmail app.”

The development comes as RIM deals with product launch delays, a plunging stock price and a rapidly decreasing share of the key U.S. smartphone market.

RIM’s share of the U.S. smartphone market had fallen to 11.6% as of the end of June, according to research firm IDC, behind Google’s Android-powered phones and the Apple iPhone. Five years ago, RIM had 48% of the U.S. market.

After an embarrassing service outage…left millions of BlackBerry users without access to email, many analysts worried that BlackBerry users would begin migrating to Apple and Android devices at an even faster clip.

RIM said…that it was investigation reports of fresh delays for BlackBerry users in Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa, but did not provide further details.

Google’s decision to end support for Gmail on BlackBerrys comes as the Internet giant increasingly focuses on a key RIM rival: Apple.

Earlier this month, Google unveiled a Gmail app for Apple’s iOS operating system, which powers the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. But the app was hobbled soon after its release on Nov. 2 by a bug associated with its notifications feature. Google apologized and pulled the app for repairs.

Google’s Gmail ranks among the most popular Web-based email services, and the company has said the service has around 200 million users. According to data from comScore Inc., the number of unique visitors to Gmail rose 31% in October compared with the same month last year, reaching 59.6 million. The number of visitors to Yahoo Inc.’s email service, meanwhile, fell 1% to 93.5 million, while visitors to Microsoft Corp.’s email service fell 3% to 44.5 million, according to the comScore data.

In a statement posted online, Google said that while Gmail users on the BlackBerry will be able to continue consulting Google’s guide for troubleshooting in the app, the guide “will not be maintained or enhanced.”

—Amir Efrati contributed to this article.

Write to Will Connors at will.connors@wsj.com and John Letzing at john.letzing@dowjones.com

Mutt Media: Suggestions for giving back this season

While it’s true that this is the season to give, some of us may feel a bit strapped financially during the holidays. We need to remember that at this time of year, more than ever – there are people less fortunate that need our help.

So how do we give to others in need while still taking care of our family and friends? Here are some great resources that empower us to give without even writing a check. Some of these sites will seamlessly make donations to charities while you shop, while others will help you clean out your house and send along items you no longer have use for to those who do. Please take a moment before the stress of the season takes its grip to have a look and find the cause that speaks to you. Here are just a few.

Give While You Shop

Goodshop.com and GiveClicks.com. Here are two sites where a portion of how you spend goes to charity. Select your cause, shop and donations are made. Want to donate to a loved one’s college education? Enroll your credit card info at UPromise.com and use this portal to access hundreds of stores you probably already shop at….added bonus: whenever you use enrolled credit cards on or offline – you’re donating!

Clean House & Give Back – A Great Way to Recycle

Give your gently-worn shoes via SolestoSouls.com,where your donations are distributed to those in need, whether due to financial hardships or natural disasters. You can also help others in their search for employment by donating your previously (but gently)-worn business attire at CareerGear.org (for men) or TheWomensAlliance.org or DressForSuccess.org (for women).

Kids can give back to by donating their stuffed animals, children’s books and blankets via ProjectNightNight.org.

Happy Holidays

Daily Bone | 3.1.11 A Mutt Media reminder to update to the newest version of WordPress!

WordPress has released a new version of their software. These updates may actually be visible to the naked eye unlike previous updates where the changes may not be tangible to the user….Read all about it here.

Mutt Media | The Daily Bone 1.25.2010 Hulu may begin charging this Fall

Hulu, the (so far) free internet website that allows visitors to watch movies, tv shows and play video games is toying with the idea of charging in the neighborhood of $5 for a subscription plan that will allow unlimited access to groups of shows. For example, instead of limiting views to a handful of shows, you may have access to an entire season…a great feature if you like to play catch-up and cram it all into a day or weekend.

Hulu is owned by NBC, Fox and the Disney Channel. I must say, I do like the idea of watching the entire season of 24 and getting my Jack Bauer fix all in one shot. The $5 fee doesn’t seem all that prohibitive from where I stand. Just no commercials, please!!!

Happy Holidays From the Daily Bone! Here's my gift to you…How to remove FB notifications re: 3rd party apps like Mafia Wars, Farmville etc.! Enjoy!

Happy Holidays.

Here’s a true gift given in the spirit of the season….How to remove those annoying Facebook notifications that alert you every time one of your “friends” makes a move using Farmville, Mafia Wars, Yoville or one of the umpteen others.

We have all experienced the constant stream of notifications that have become part of the daily experience if you are a Facebook user. And lets face it, who isn’t using Facebook at this point?

Applications on Facebook, in my opinion, have become nothing short of noise that completely clutters my News & Live Feeds. I have eliminated having notifications sent to my phone which was a big improvement but I am finding that even when I visit the site (having mentally prepared myself for the inevitable onslaught), the updates have become intrusive and ridiculous. I have taken action and so can you.

I asked myself what kind of gift could I give my readers in the spirit of the holiday season that will adequately say a genuine “Thank you” for your comments and encouragement during my first six months. I think this fits the bill. So without further adieu, here you go.

Go into your Live Feed or your News Feed and find the notification that really annoys you most…..there are a million to choose from. Here’s a partial list:

Some Facebook Apps

Once you are in your Live or News Feed, let your mouse hover over one of your notifications. If you pull your mouse to the right, you will see a button that says “Hide”.

Click on it!!!

Mutt Media on how to hide annoying Facebook App notifications

You will then see a pop up window dialogue box, similar to the one below. Simply click on the button that says, “Hide ______________” and voila – you are done!

Mutt Media on hiding your Facebook App notifications

Please give this a try and let me know when you’ve found Facebook bliss. No – that’s not another App, it’s a state of being.

Happy Holidays, everyone!!

Mutt Media | Daily Bone 10.26.09 Teens and how they are contributing creative content online

According to a 2005 study conducted by the Pew Internet and American Life project (Lenhardt & Madden,2005), more than one-half of all American teens—and 57 percent of teens who use the Internet—could be considered media creators.

For the purpose of the study, a media creator is someone who created a blog or webpage ,posted original artwork, photography, stories or videos online or remixed online content into their own new creations. Most have done two or more of these activities. One-third of teens share what they create online with others, 22 percent have their own websites, 19 percent blog, and 19 percent remix online content…some interesting statistics…

Here’s a piece that my son made awhile back that at last count had almost 90,000 hits on YouTube. Go figure. Topic? Call of Duty and his Top 10 Weapons. Kids these days!

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 9.1.09 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

Mutt Media | The Daily Bone 8.31.09 Tweetlater changes name to Social Oomph

Tweetlater changes name to SocialOomph -service remain the same!

One tool that I find really useful in managing my Twitter account is located on a site I’ve talked about before (previously) called Tweetlater.com. (check out my blog entry from Positano on 7.3.09).

Tweetlater.com (now called now called Social Oomph [socialoomph.com]) is a service I use for myself and Mutt Media Clients that provides statistics and automation of your Twitter account, while still enabling you to keep it personal. You can use this free service to track and vet your potential followers and you can set up automated personal responses to push at the appropriate time. Other great features? You can set your account to automatically follow anyone you approve to follow you, or you can not follow, block or even report an potential follower as spam – all at a time you find convenient. All you have to do is login and go to manage your account(s). You can maintain and manage several and instead of getting inundated with notifications, you can set aside time as desired to go through and vet.

It’s a great service that you can administer yourself and it’s also a service we provide to our clients at no additional charge if we already have you on our roster. Send us an email or post your questions right here.

Social O