Mobile Blogging…Literally
February 23, 2010 by Ryan
So I’m lying in bed, writing this post, while listening to the new Ok Go album, all from my phone! It’s ridiculous how much of a fanboy I am of the Motorola Droid! This picture…got the link while doing all this! It’s called multi-tasking…take that iPhone!
YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare, ESPN, Google Reader, Google Buzz, Gmail, Google Maps…basically everything Google. All from my phone! I’m one of those guys that basically needs internet access pumped directly into my bloodstream and the Droid is my IV. Yes, I know I’m an addict.
Being a Verizon-Loyalist/AT&T-Hater, I envied all the capabilities and apps the iPhone had. I waited year after year for the iPhone to come to Verizon, but it’s still “next year”.
With Android, I finally have an app-friendly phone! So many cool apps! My favorites:
- Qik- Broadcast video straight from your phone to Facebook, YouTube & Twitter
- PhoneMyPC- Access & control your computer from your phone
- WorldTour- Changes the background on my phone to live images around the world: Times Square, the Pyramids, the Effiel Tower, Boston Harbor, Sydney Harbor, etc.
- Rhapsody Beta- They finally released a beta for the subscription music service that I love! I can listen to anything, anytime, as many times as I want!
So far I’ve convinced two guys from work to get a Droid. I wish I had to disclose endorsements or getting paid for any of the products I’ve mentioned but, unfortunately, I am not being paid for any of this! If any of the aforementioned companies want to pay me I would be glad to offer my endorsement!
P.S. This post was written on the new Wordpress app!
Google Latitude: Very Scary or Very Cool
April 14, 2009 by Ryan
I’ve read that the government can track you, listen to you on your cellphone even if it’s off as long as there is a battery in it. For some people, that’s one of the scariest things out there. Personally, and I emphasize personally, I don’t mind. For one, I don’t have anything to hide. Two, I using this surveillance to stop people that are dangerous is worth it. (Let the 1984 comments commence)
My point is, this is already out there. It’s done. It’s part of our connected world. Yeah there’s negatives, but there are also many positives (I love listening & watching educational & inspiring podcast & videocasts). But why let Big Brother have all the fun?
Google Latitude
I have been a fan of Google Maps for a while and recently installed it on my new Blackberry Storm. After overlooking it several times, I noticed another option in the menu for something called Latitude. Basically it allows you to broadcast your location to a network of connections you choose. Here’s an fun little stunt the Google team pulled of using it:
Depending on how you want to view this, it can be seen as either very cool or very scary. Imagine citywide scavenger hunts! Imagine every one knowing where you live and when you are and are not home! I can definitely see both.
Ideas for Improvements
One good feature is that you can turn it on and turn it off. Turn it on when you want to broadcast and find others to meetup with. Turn it off when you are about to head home (before you get there, so you don’t lead everyone back to your house). I was discussing this with a friend on Twitter (@wmchan) and two ideas came up:
Maybe I’m in the minority by not worrying much about the “big brother” aspect of Latitude, mostly because it’s there whether you like it or not. But I think privacy features like these, or just plain common sense, can make Latitude relatively safe. My biggest problem right now is that no one I know uses it/knows about it, and so I haven’t been able to do much. I want to do some kind of TweetUp or scavenger hunt with it. I think it could be used for a crazy promotional thing for some local company.
What do you think? Too invasive? Too cool? Let me know if you would want to mess around with it and maybe we’ll have to do something.
