Here’s a cool mobile app that takes advantage of your cameraphone… imagine this, select a photo from your mobile gallery (iPhone or iTouch) type in a message, then they do the rest… print it, address it, print your message, put a stamp on it, and send it to the recipient. Nice timing for iPhone users although I don’t want to steal their thunder but I used a cool app like this a few years ago in Europe for Symbian devices (can’t recall the name, sorry)… at that time I thought WOW, what a great, simple, but effective idea. Seems this Fort Collins crew has stepped up and now offers the service to iPhone users… check em out at http://www.taptapcards.com Note: the service costs $1.99 – what a great way to send your memories to family while on vacation! On Twitter see @taptapcards
Archives for February 25, 2009
TwitterMarketing – A look at the relationship between social media and Tech PR
I’ve had some interesting discussions recently with a friend and Twitter connection of mine regarding the often contentious topic of social media and public relations (believe me, we are not the only people only Twitter discussing this). This has been the topic of many debates on twitter, on blogs and in other forums, with companies drooling at the viral nature of Twitter and individuals crying foul at companies blasting self-promotions and news via any social outlet they can get their hands on. Indeed there are no rules set in stone and everyone has their own views as to what’s cool and what’s not. And so, I’m pleased to share with you some words from a former product marketing manager regarding her feelings about the use of Twitter for PR… an interesting take! Thanks to Karen Morley for sharing her take.
In the interest of full disclosure, I am not a PR person, though I have had some experience with the press. My background is product management and marketing in the geospatial industry. Recently I waded into the twitter pool out of curiosity. At first I didn’t get all the hype about it but then I found some people I know and it got more interesting. It got even more interesting when I started finding people I didn’t know through other twitterers with like interests. Way cool. Then I found other tools, got help from some more savvy folks on searching etc. Now I’m hooked but I did not join twitter to accomplish any specific objectives. Though as a product manager and marketing person – what an invaluable tool to learn what people in your industry are talking about and join the conversation!
Tech sector and geospatial companies in particular don’t understand the value of public relations. PR to many, simply equals press releases. I think that’s a serious mistake and now the PR people are joining twitter and using it as if it were a press release service. In fact, one PR person was happily twittering away and had no idea that twitter allows for @Replies! How much of a conversation can that be? If these folks don’t understand that marketing and public relations is about establishing relationships (um hence the word “relations”), adding social media to the checklist won’t improve their efforts. Don’t call yourself a social media expert because you’ve got thousands of followers. It’s not about the number of conversations but the quality of the ones you do have. So go ahead and use Twitter or other social media to send your announcements but I won’t be listening until you’ve established a conversation that I respect.
Karen Morley (@GeoKaren)
Other interesting takes on this topic:
INRIX National Traffic Scorecard ranks traffic congestion
A new INRIX National Traffic Scorecard Reveals Startling 30 Percent Decrease in Traffic Congestion in 2008. The Study ranks 100 worst congested cities cites tumbling economy and fuel price volatility as causes for unprecedented decline in traffic congestion. According to the report, the top 10 most congested cities in 2008 were:
1. Los Angeles, California
2. New York, New York
3. Chicago, Illinois
4. Dallas, Texas
5. Washington, DC
6. Houston, Texas
7. San Francisco, California
8. Boston, Massachusetts
9. Seattle, Washington
10. Minneapolis, Minnesota
Green Developers and Mashup artists invited to come play!
From the GreenThing (a Green WOM Initiative) the team is inviting “Green” developers to come and play with their news developer tools – an API and clever ways to create mashups. Many tech professionals are very HOT into Green apps so mess around, create a clever application that provides an environmentally sound solution and you could score some great recognition from the team! Check out the Green Thing Labs at http://www.dothegreenthing.com/labs

uLocate’s WHERE mobile apps available for G1
Here we go with yet another awesome application ported to the Android OS for the Google (T-Mobile) G1… WHERE – I’ve been a long time WHERE widget user on Symbian OS, now I can test it on the G1 see more at www.where.com
The $9.99 Geocaching Application for iPhone
There’s no question that Geocaching is hot… is it hot enough that users will doll out some cash for this app?? No doubt it could be, particularly when you see some of the functionality available in this awesome app! Some details – Geocaching takes advantage of the iPhone 3G’s internal GPS chip for navigation and sports a user-friendly interface with a simulated compass arrow. The application also allows players to save geocache listings for quick retrieval, look up trackable items and filter out already found geocaches. More info here or jump to http://www.geocaching.com/iphone/default.aspx
Gadget fun – Meet the Butterfly, a slick new iPod speaker dock
A little gadget fun here as Vestalife unveils the Butterfly for iPod. Underneath its sleek curves and soft-touch finish is a digital amp that packs a big punch. Priced at less than $100! See details