Have you ever looked at a screen and wondered if it could do more than just entertain? Well, guess what? Google thinks it can, especially when it comes to education. The tech giant recently announced Google TV for EDU, a program that aims to integrate Internet TV into classrooms. Now, before you roll your eyes at the thought of kids watching more TV, hear me out. If they're going to be glued to a screen, it's about time it's put to good use, right? The Classroom Gets a Tech Upgrade Google's collaborative initiative taps into university research and aims to fuel interest in television engineeri...
Read moreIsn’t it fascinating how technology evolves? It seems like every day we get a brand-new shiny tool to connect, explore, and document our lives. Enter the mobile social travel diary and game, Gowalla, which recently took a big step with the launch of Version 3.0. It's like throwing a party hoping to welcome friends from everywhere, but sometimes, it feels a little empty when they don't show up. So, what's the scoop on this new update? Let’s dig in! What’s Gowalla All About? If you haven't tried Gowalla yet, you might be wondering: What is the deal? Imagine a beautifully designed app that lets y...
Read moreHey there! Have you ever wondered how some brands become more than just a business—how they become a beloved part of people’s lives? If you’re nodding your head, you’re in the right place! Today, we're diving into the fascinating world of Threadless, that trendy online T-shirt powerhouse that’s taken hipster culture by storm. Bob Nanna, one of the brains behind this creative juggernaut, has some valuable insights into how they've mastered the art of "brand love" using social media. Let’s break it down! The Secret Sauce of Brand Love First off, let’s chat about this elusive term, "brand love." ...
Read moreHey there! If you’ve ever found yourself lost in the sea of notifications on your phone, you’re definitely not alone. Our devices have become extensions of ourselves—our lifelines to friends, family, and the world at large. But let’s take a step back and talk about one feature that revolutionized how we interact with apps: push notifications. Now, you might be wondering, “What are push notifications anyway?” Well, think of them like the little nudges your apps give you to keep you in the loop. They are brief messages from applications that alert you when there’s something important happening....
Read moreAre we on the verge of a seismic shift in how we consume information and media online? With startups like Brightcove vying for the crown of the Internet TV landscape and pioneers like Ted Nelson challenging the very framework of the World Wide Web, it feels like we’re living in a digital renaissance. Let’s dive into the intriguing worlds of these two visionaries and what their visions mean for us, the consumers. Brightcove: The Game-Changer in Internet TV Imagine you’re at a cozy café, scrolling through endless videos on your device. Suddenly, you come across Brightcove: a start-up that could ...
Read moreHey there, social media enthusiasts! Have you ever scrolled through your Facebook feed and felt your mood shift just by looking at a post? Maybe it was a cute baby dolphin playing in the ocean or that hilarious meme your friend shared. Well, guess what? It’s not just your imagination; there’s actually some science behind it! Buckle up as we dive into the fascinating world of emotional contagion on social media. What is Emotional Contagion? You might be wondering, “What the heck is emotional contagion?” Think of it as the emotional equivalent of catching a cold. Just as a good laugh can spread ...
Read moreHave you ever wondered what happens behind the curtain of social media, especially in places where free speech is a hot-button issue? Well, grab a cup of coffee and sit tight because we're about to dive deep into a strange occurrence involving Facebook that left many scratching their heads. On April 5th, just two days after the arrest of the renowned artist and architect Ai Weiwei, there was a jaw-dropping drop in Facebook user counts. Not a slow fade but a shocking plunge of 250,000 users, as revealed by Shanghaist. Now, doesn't that make you wonder about the underlying forces at play? The Ar...
Read moreHey there, fellow netizens! 🌐 Have you ever felt that chill run down your spine when you think about the government reaching into your online world? Yeah, me too. Let’s dive into a wild day in internet history that had everyone up in arms against SOPA and PIPA, and how it threw a spotlight on our digital freedoms. Buckle up! What’s SOPA/PIPA Anyway? Alright, so here’s the scoop: SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (PROTECT IP Act) were like those uninvited guests at a party who just don’t get the hint. On the surface, they seemed to be all about protecting content creators from piracy. In ...
Read moreAh, the internet! A magical realm where information flows as freely as the wind, connecting us in ways we never thought possible. Yet, lurking beneath this digital utopia is a contentious battle over online piracy legislation that feels like a soap opera with plot twists and cliffhangers. If you’ve been scratching your head over the complexities of the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect Intellectual Property Act (PIPA), welcome to the club! What’s the Big Deal? Let’s dive right in, shall we? Imagine you’re a talented artist. You pour your heart and soul into your work, but suddenly,...
Read moreHey there, friend! Let’s chat about something that affects all of us in our digital age—broadband speed. If you’re anything like me, you might have felt a bit of frustration when your internet decides to take a nap right in the middle of your favorite show or online meeting. But what if I told you that 80% of internet users in the U.S. have no idea about the speeds they’re actually getting from their Internet Service Providers (ISPs)? Mind-blowing, right? Let’s dive into this tangled web of broadband mysteries, and together we’ll figure out how to make sense of it all! The Survey That Spoke Vo...
Read more