Hot on the heels of the daily deals model, June 2011 start-up Crowd Seats is offering deep discounts for users in a new niche market: sports tickets. With the tactic of group-buying in mind, the super-young start-up aims to give users the ability to score sweet deals to their favorite sports stadiums, 50 to 90 percent off of face value, without breaking the franchise’s bank. READ MORE
As an independent artist it is so hard to find an audience for your film. Most of the times, the mainstream distribution outlets are not an option, so every indie artist has to think creatively to ensure people will see their work. The social web was the place I found to do this for my film, The Youngest Candidate. READ MORE
First, Square revolutionized how we send and receive credit card payments; now, the mobile payments start-up based in San Francisco is looking to replace the cash register altogether. GigaOM reports that Jack Dorsey, creator of Twitter and co-founder of Square, has released his two latest creations—the Square Register for merchants, and the Square Card Holder for consumers. READ MORE
The jury is still out but, of course, many in the gaming world have their opinions. There’s what we do know: Nintendo plans to introduce its new Wii 2 (though it’s not confirmed it that’s its official name) at next month’s E3 trade show in Los Angeles. It’s said to be released early next spring, but that too could change. More people are wondering if, and how, Nintendo will step up its game with its new product. READ MORE
A start-up called Gigwalk launched yesterday with the aim of creating a mobile community of workers willing to do basic tasks ranging in pay from $3 and $90. Here’s the deal: companies post the job they want done, directions, and how much they will pay. Using the location data from iPhones, Gigwalk (and the job poster) manages the job and confirm that the “Gigwalkers” completed the task. READ MORE
While it’s true Groupon copycats have been popping up all over the place, AT&T and a novel start-up called thruSocial are the newest players to throw down with the online coupon giant. According to Mashable‘s Todd Wasserman, AT&T is preregistering coupon lovers in Los Angeles, Atlanta and Dallas-Fort Worth for a service that will send daily deals to consumers via its yp.com. The telecom giant also is offering $10 off a first deal for people in those cities who sign up through May 22. READ MORE
The iPhone has finally broken free from the shackles of AT&T. After more than three years, Apple has signed on with the widely available Verizon network. Let the dancing and partying commence. Except for this: you might be wondering, once the iPhone is available on Feb. 10, should you make the move? Or, is the iPhone really worth all of the hassle? Ron Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group, has a definite opinion on the subject. Shortly after the announcement had people tweeting, texting and talking about the big news, he outlined on his blog the many caveats, subtleties and intricacies that need to be considered before buying an iPhone on the Verizon network right now. First off, he pointed out that while it’s common knowledge Verizon’s iPhone will not be able to use its 4G LTE network, AT&T’s iPhone isn’t technically capable of 4G either, although the carrier claims it is. AT&T’s HSPA+ network is a voice network retrofitted to handle data and more of an enhanced 3G network rather than fully 4G. IDC analyst William Stofega says AT&T’s reputation has been bruised by its inability to deal with the load put on its network by millions of iPhone users. He says it’s not all the carrier’s fault, though. “Everyone wants to point the finger at AT&T but the devices themselves and their use of network resources [has] not been stellar,” he said, adding that Nokia and the Blackberry maker RIM are better at helping phone users make best use of their network assets. Could Verizon have a similar load problem if a deluge of people buy iPhones for its network? “Eventually they could, but Verizon’s network appears to have much more headroom,” says Enderle. “We likely won’t know for a few months yet. AT&T has historically oversold their network even back to the time they were Cingular.” Stofega thinks the Verizon network can handle increased iPhone traffic because any movement over to Verizon from AT&T will be gradual because the penalty for breaking an AT&T contract is expensive. To check how much it will cost to break an AT&T contract, use this nifty calculator from Wolfram Alpha. Small biz weighs inExpert advice aside, plenty of people are lining up to get the iPhone through Verizon. Long-time Verizon customer Tom Hoebbel from Ithaca, New York, who runs Thomas Hoebbel Photo-Video, says he has a new phone upgrade option but is saving it for when the iPhone is available. “As a photographer, I often have images and video on my Web site that I want to share with clients or prospective clients. The iPhone will make that easier,” he said, adding that he hasn’t considered going with an Android-based smartphone because he uses a Mac for his business and thoroughly trusts the Apple brand. Also contemplating ditching AT&T, Zoe Gayle Villaroman operates a public relations and marketing consulting business out of her San Diego home office, which ironically is the one spot where she gets the worst service. “AT&T has recently introduced the 3G MicroCell to help boost their pitiful coverage. When I asked AT&T to provide me this product for free to resolve my long-term substandard coverage issues, they said that I must purchase it. Essentially, I pay for a service which I cannot use and, in order to use the service for which I already pay, I must now pay more,” she complains. To be fair, though, when we queried small business owners about their plans regarding the iPhone, many are happily using their iPhones with AT&T and aren’t going anywhere. Los Angeles-based Sayeh Pezeshki runs the online office supply store SortingwithStyle.com and has no intention of switching to Verizon. “One of the main reasons is because on the Verizon iPhone you will not be able to send an email or do anything else as long as you are in a call. When I have vendors or designers on the phone I am checking into files I keep on my iPhone as well as emailing them and myself reminders as we are on the call,” she says. IDC’s Stofega says it’s true — there will be no multitasking during a call on Verizon’s iPhone, at least at first. Verizon confirmed that you will not be able to send or receive e-mail on the Verizon iPhone while on a call but can text and perform other tasks, including reviewing previously downloaded e-mail. “It is related to Verizon’s use of CDMA technology versus AT&T’s UMTS. We have heard that fix for this problem [is coming] later this year,” he said. Plan pricing between the two carriers is similar. The cheapest voice plan for each buys you 450 minutes for about $40, or $60 for 450 minutes and unlimited texting. For $10 you’ll get 500 text messages out of Verizon and 1,000 from AT&T. As for data, that’s where things have gotten all mixed up. AT&T — which formerly offered those network-hogging unlimited plans — switched last year to tiered pricing: $25 for 2GB or $15 for 200MB (and you’ll pay more for going over either). They’re letting people who previously had unlimited plans keep them. Verizon, for its part in the craziness, is opening its iPhone floodgate by offering unlimited data for $30 a month but will be announcing tiered plans later, so don’t get too jazzed about its all-you-can-eat offering. It may be go away soon after launch. Verizon says if you buy an iPhone on contract. your unlimited data plan will last during the contract even if Verizon moves to tiered usage plans. To further complicate things, some people like the idea of using Verizon’s iPhone as a hotspot for other devices. That’s an extra $20 a month for 2GB. While you can’t hotspot with AT&T’s iPhone, you can pay $20 to tether it to one device and share an internet connection with, say, your laptop. Be careful with that, though. AT&T won’t give you any additional data for that hook-up, so any data you use while tethered comes out of your regular data plan. Still not sure which carrier to stick with or which to dump? When in doubt, listen to the experts: Stofega says don’t buy an iPhone at all and that Blackberry is the best bet for business. Enderle says if you must have an iPhone, wait for the iPhone 5 to show up at Verizon sometime in 2011.
Okay, so you’ve outfitted your mobile employees with inexpensive netbooks, but there are a few recommended accoutrements you should consider to help them remain productive while on the go. With a growing assortment of handy accessories, you can expand the functionality and longevity of your business netbook. From wireless mice and bigger keyboards to high-definition webcams and Bluetooth headsets, there are plenty of peripherals to choose from. Here are some netbook accessories that experts suggest might be worth a look: Mice and keyboards Because they’re portable and affordable, netbooks have become a popular laptop alternative — but its smaller form factor means typing and clicking on them might not be as comfortable as a full-sized laptop or desktop. “It might not seem necessary, it might even seem redundant, but you’d be surprised how handy a wireless mouse or keyboard can be when it comes to doing work on your netbook,” says Paul Semel, a seasoned technology journalist and netbook user based in Los Angeles. “Granted, you won’t need them when you’re sitting in the airport and want to quickly check your e-mail, and there isn’t enough room on a plane for them, either. But when you arrive at your hotel, and have to work on your proposal before the big meeting, you’ll appreciate having a better keyboard and a mouse,” Semel adds. “Well, unless you enjoy carpel tunnel syndrome.” Carmi Levy, an independent technology analyst based in London, Ontario, agrees. “If you’re planning on heavy duty text entry, most netbook keyboards just won’t cut it…. More often than not, the keys are smaller-than-standard, and are squished more closely together than on a conventional laptop or desktop PC.” Levy also says the miniaturized trackpads built into most netbooks can be frustrating to use: “This is especially true when they come with space-saving layouts that place the keys beside the trackpad surface — or worse, on the front panel of the netbook itself,” says Levy. Headsets and speakers Many netbooks feature integrated Bluetooth technology, which allows you to go wireless when it comes to some peripherals including, mice, keyboards and headsets. With the latter, these optional accessories are ideal for chatting via a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) solution, such as Skype or Windows Live Messenger. “Trying to type or use your mouse while a wire dangles in your way is a quick and efficient way to annoy yourself,” says Semel. With the increasing ability of free tools to make voice calls — such as GoogleTalk, Skype, and other products — the use of the netbook as a portable telephony device makes increasing sense, says Chris Silva, a senior analyst for enterprise mobility at Forrester Research, a Boston-based technology research firm. “A wired USB handset or, better yet, a Bluetooth wireless handset make for a must-have addition taking the netbook from small PC to mobile office.” Music lovers, on the other hand, might want to consider a pair of external speakers. “Road warriors who use their laptops to play tunes when they turn their hotel rooms into mobile offices are often disappointed with the tinny, usually mono sound from the average netbook’s speaker,” says Levy. “USB-powered portable speakers may not rock the Kasbah, but they’ll fit the bill when you need some familiar music in a faraway place.” Monitors, optical drives, and webcams Levy says an external CD/DVD burner is also a good idea because netbooks don’t have an embedded optical disc drive. “Although we’re burning fewer and fewer disks these days as the world increasingly shifts to solid state memory and Web-based software, there will come a time when we all need to burn a disk, or install something from a CD or DVD,” she says. “As netbooks lack internal optical drives, a slim external unit can keep you functional without adding too much weight.” Silva says to consider a netbook with an integrated Web camera, or you can always pick up an external model, now offering high-definition quality for crystal-clear online video conferences. “While the quality for digital still pictures is likely to be dismal [with an embedded camera], the use of the camera with IM tools for live, video chats makes the device moving video conference solution great for exchanging ideas with colleagues or checking in on the family from the other side of the world,” says Silva. And instead of squinting to read text on a 7- to 10-inch screen, an external monitor is recommended while stationary for a while. “While you certainly won’t be carting an external display in your travel bag, many netbook users use them at their desks to make up for the built-in display’s limited real estate and resolution,” says Levy. “For basic productivity needs, a netbook with an external display, keyboard and mouse can often be all the machine the average small or mid-sized business office user may ever need.” Other considerations A few other netbook accessory suggestions: A fitted sleeve to keep the netbook secure and protected when carried in a larger bag, backpack, or suitcase. A USB 2.0 hub that turns one universal serial bus port into four or more, to connect multiple devices at the same time. While the latest netbooks offer 160GB of internal memory, SecureDigital (SD) Flash cards or an external hard drive adds more storage, if needed, and the ability to transfer files easily between PCs.
Okay, so you’ve outfitted your mobile employees with inexpensive netbooks, but there are a few recommended accoutrements you should consider to help them remain productive while on the go. With a growing assortment of handy accessories, you can expand the functionality and longevity of your business netbook. From wireless mice and bigger keyboards to high-definition webcams and Bluetooth headsets, there are plenty of peripherals to choose from. Here are some netbook accessories that experts suggest might be worth a look: Mice and keyboards Because they’re portable and affordable, netbooks have become a popular laptop alternative — but its smaller form factor means typing and clicking on them might not be as comfortable as a full-sized laptop or desktop. “It might not seem necessary, it might even seem redundant, but you’d be surprised how handy a wireless mouse or keyboard can be when it comes to doing work on your netbook,” says Paul Semel, a seasoned technology journalist and netbook user based in Los Angeles. “Granted, you won’t need them when you’re sitting in the airport and want to quickly check your e-mail, and there isn’t enough room on a plane for them, either. But when you arrive at your hotel, and have to work on your proposal before the big meeting, you’ll appreciate having a better keyboard and a mouse,” Semel adds. “Well, unless you enjoy carpel tunnel syndrome.” Carmi Levy, an independent technology analyst based in London, Ontario, agrees. “If you’re planning on heavy duty text entry, most netbook keyboards just won’t cut it…. More often than not, the keys are smaller-than-standard, and are squished more closely together than on a conventional laptop or desktop PC.” Levy also says the miniaturized trackpads built into most netbooks can be frustrating to use: “This is especially true when they come with space-saving layouts that place the keys beside the trackpad surface — or worse, on the front panel of the netbook itself,” says Levy. Headsets and speakers Many netbooks feature integrated Bluetooth technology, which allows you to go wireless when it comes to some peripherals including, mice, keyboards and headsets. With the latter, these optional accessories are ideal for chatting via a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) solution, such as Skype or Windows Live Messenger. “Trying to type or use your mouse while a wire dangles in your way is a quick and efficient way to annoy yourself,” says Semel. With the increasing ability of free tools to make voice calls — such as GoogleTalk, Skype, and other products — the use of the netbook as a portable telephony device makes increasing sense, says Chris Silva, a senior analyst for enterprise mobility at Forrester Research, a Boston-based technology research firm. “A wired USB handset or, better yet, a Bluetooth wireless handset make for a must-have addition taking the netbook from small PC to mobile office.” Music lovers, on the other hand, might want to consider a pair of external speakers. “Road warriors who use their laptops to play tunes when they turn their hotel rooms into mobile offices are often disappointed with the tinny, usually mono sound from the average netbook’s speaker,” says Levy. “USB-powered portable speakers may not rock the Kasbah, but they’ll fit the bill when you need some familiar music in a faraway place.” Monitors, optical drives, and webcams Levy says an external CD/DVD burner is also a good idea because netbooks don’t have an embedded optical disc drive. “Although we’re burning fewer and fewer disks these days as the world increasingly shifts to solid state memory and Web-based software, there will come a time when we all need to burn a disk, or install something from a CD or DVD,” she says. “As netbooks lack internal optical drives, a slim external unit can keep you functional without adding too much weight.” Silva says to consider a netbook with an integrated Web camera, or you can always pick up an external model, now offering high-definition quality for crystal-clear online video conferences. “While the quality for digital still pictures is likely to be dismal [with an embedded camera], the use of the camera with IM tools for live, video chats makes the device moving video conference solution great for exchanging ideas with colleagues or checking in on the family from the other side of the world,” says Silva. And instead of squinting to read text on a 7- to 10-inch screen, an external monitor is recommended while stationary for a while. “While you certainly won’t be carting an external display in your travel bag, many netbook users use them at their desks to make up for the built-in display’s limited real estate and resolution,” says Levy. “For basic productivity needs, a netbook with an external display, keyboard and mouse can often be all the machine the average small or mid-sized business office user may ever need.” Other considerations A few other netbook accessory suggestions: A fitted sleeve to keep the netbook secure and protected when carried in a larger bag, backpack, or suitcase. A USB 2.0 hub that turns one universal serial bus port into four or more, to connect multiple devices at the same time. While the latest netbooks offer 160GB of internal memory, SecureDigital (SD) Flash cards or an external hard drive adds more storage, if needed, and the ability to transfer files easily between PCs.
It’s been nearly 20 years since workers started turning downtime into productivity time by using cell phones while stuck in long commutes. Over the years, however, keeping eyes on the road and hands on the wheel has become a big concern, as numerous auto accidents have been linked to cell phone usage by drivers. That’s why many states have passed laws demanding that drivers only use cell phones with “hands-free” devices, such as Bluetooth or ear phones. But now that e-mail and text messaging have become increasingly common ways to communicate, the latest trend for mobile workers is to use gadgets and/or services that can read your text-based correspondence to you in a human-like voice while stuck in daily traffic — and in some cases, let you reply using your voice, too. Hardware solutions, like IMS’ iLane, or software such as Vlingo and Voice on the Go, operate on text-to-voice technology, in order to help smartphone owners hear e-mail and text messages. Supply meets demand While these new products help make rush hour drives more productive, even the experts agree hearing messages (and perhaps verbally replying to them) still might not be a great idea — the lesser of two evils, if you will. “It wasn’t too long ago we said we could wait until we get home or to the office to make a phone call, but the convenience of mobile phones proved otherwise,” says Michael Gartenberg, vice president at Interpret LLC, a market research firm based in New York and Los Angeles. “And then we said we can wait to read e-mail, but unfortunately, we’re seeing people trying to read or type while behind the wheel, which is, needless-to-say, an extremely dangerous habit — perhaps on par with drinking and driving,” Gartenberg adds. So while many people might not like the idea of having your e-mail or texts read aloud while on the highway, these new products available are better than the alternative if it removes the temptation to look down, he adds. Scott Steinberg, publisher of DigitalTrends.com, agrees. “Products that read your e-mail to you while in the car are indicative of a larger trend in the fast-paced business world today. And that’s the need to have information and communication available anytime and anywhere — instead of being tethered to a PC.” Using these new products and services is “safer than typing while driving, sure, but make no bones about it, it’s still a distraction,” cautions Steinberg. “You should really keep your eyes and mind on the road, but I’d rather people use these e-mail solutions than glancing down to read or type.” A look at the big players Because not all products are available for all smartphones, those interested in using one of these solutions might want to first check compatibility, advises Gartenberg. For example, IMS’ iLane only works with Bluetooth-enabled BlackBerry products at this time, while Voice on the Go works with a number of mobile phones. Gartenberg says once you’ve confirmed compatibility and assessed costs, you might want to try the technology before you buy to ensure the quality of the audio transcription is accurate. “These new products all work pretty well, for the most part, but the accuracy of the messages might vary, therefore this is definitely a try-before-you-buy scenario,” he says Steinberg has some additional advice: “Keep in mind the context and tone of the e-mail might be misinterpreted when Mr. Roboto reads the e-mail to you, so double-check the message by reading the e-mail yourself later on.” Here’s a quick look at a few hands-free e-mail solutions: iLane ($399.99) is a two-part solution: a small black box that plugs into your car’s cigarette lighter and a wireless headset for your ear, both of which operate on Bluetooth and work with your BlackBerry. Once set up, the iLane reads your e-mail and text messages to you and also lets you reply, forward, delete or skip to the next message — all by giving simple voice commands. Replies are sent as MP3 attachments rather than transcribing your voice into text. You can also use your voice to hear your calendar appointments for the day, listen to news clips and weather updates, and more. Available at Handago, where it won a 2009 Champion Award, Voice on the Go ($5.99/month) lets you use your voice to listen to, compose, reply, forward and delete e-mails, and send text messages. Voice on the Go works with virtually any cell phone, requires no training, and is available in six languages: English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, and Dutch. It’s also possible to access your calendar, contacts, Twitter, and Facebook by voice, too. On a related note, Vlingo (vlingo.com; $17.99) is also a software solution that lets you send an e-mail or text messages, make a call, search the Web or update your Facebook or Twitter status — all using your voice. Vlingo is available for most BlackBerry smartphones, Apple’s iPhone, Nokia S60 phones, and many Windows phones.
