Technology Blog

Apple To Roll Out IPhone On June 29.

There’s been a lot of buzz around Apple’s iPhone set to be released June 29, but after reading the above article I can’t help but be a little disappointed. Internet access and storage for music and video are two great features that one can come to expect for *most* smart phones. As early as 2001, I recall telling my partner that I couldn’t wait until the day cell phones combine, storage, and highspeed cell internet access *as well as* 802.11b/g WIFI access in order to take advantage of highspots now commonplace all over the world. And you know what? I’m still waiting for an affordable option that includes internet, storage, digital camera, and wifi.

Apple’s iPhone if this article is correct is set to be launched with 4-8 gigabytes of storage. Not bad. But not too good given the $499-599 price tag. While it appears to be as top quality as most smartphones out there, with perhaps more emphasis on widescreen and other media enriched features, it’s not likely be revolutionary.

Where’s the wifi access? Is this a conspiracy amongst cell providers? It makes me wonder. Is the storage built in, or flash? If built in, 4-8 gigs will soon seem limiting to most people.

And with that, I must confess, the search for me continues: 6 years later.

Recently, I had this tech blog approved by PayPerPost. I’ve been working on other blogs for a couple of months and use payperpost to help compensate my time already spent on writing articles. If you have a passion for any topic that comes to mind and want to start earning extra money, it’s possible to do that with PayPerPost without deluting the content of your blog. Now that I’m writing in two main blogs (a third is on the way), I try to keep writing about as many topic specific articles for each blog that I’m working on. Provided you’re writing for a topic that fits under one of several categories on PayPerPost, writing for pay can not only be rewarding but also motivating to keep your blog up to date.

Since joining PayPerPost, I’ve written 15 articles for an average compensation of about $7.50 for 100 words per post (average), for roughly 15-20 minutes of work per article. I love the math with this because this works out to be roughly $30 US per hour. Not bad!

I caution newbie bloggers though to first create a blog that you will be able to keep up to date on a regular basis. PayPerPost works best with bloggers who are dedicated to their blog, and like introducing products and services to their readers. Be creative. Be fun. A lot of advertising posts call for some creativity to articles. Last week I was paid $15.00 to post a 1 minute video on Youtube. Creativity isn’t my strong point, but it was a fun experience, I did something new (video blogging), yet I was able to keep on topic with my diet blog and get paid for it.

You might even make a friend or two as PayPerPost is very dedicating to offering a supportive community environment for fellow bloggers to post about their experiences or discuss support topics related to PPP.

Check them out. Have Fun.

For the last couple of weeks, my curiosity has peaked as a canadian commercial for blogtv.ca has made its rounds across several Canadian television networks. I’m not even going to bother to find a commercial link on YouTube. So unless anyone is really interested in seeing a singing belly promotion, I’m not going to bother.

Article link:Blogtv.ca hits the streets

I surfed over to the site today wondering about the format, not to mention how this site will make its money. This project is backed by Alliance Atlantis which explains the intense commercial campaign. But will a Canadian only video blogging site take flight the likes of YouTube?

We’ll soon find out but have mercy on us Canucks, eh? No more singing bellies.

Commercials turning into pilot projects? Hmm… As much as my wife and I giggle over these 30 seconds of pure joy, I’m not 100% sure that 30 seconds can translate into a 30 minute comedy pilot. Yet, that’s exactly what ABC is planning on doing.

ABC developing ‘Cavemen’

So, what is this exactly? Is this art imitating art? Is it the ultimate in product placement? I’m not sure. Certainly this particular commercial captured my interest enough that I went searching for it on YouTube. In fact, 9 times out of 10 the reason why I surf over to Youtube is just so I can watch something on my own time that I thought was funny on tv, be it commercials, talk show moments or political faux pas. What I don’t use YouTube for is to peer into people’s living rooms while I listen to their bad karoake.

I’m pretty skeptical about how far an idea should go. I’ve been a fan of Geico commercials for years but the question remains: will I have the patience to sit through a 30 minute spoof or a spoof of a wha…?

The answer is obvious to me. Since I haven’t made the technological jump to TiVo or a personal DVR more likely then not, I’ll just surf over to Youtube when I’m interested.

I think this is going to jump the shark before it starts.

It’s not news that YouTube is perhaps the biggest “mover and shaker” on the internet today. Who HASN’T heard of YouTube? One of my best friends I left behind on the east coast when I moved west last year doesn’t own a computer and has probably seen more YouTube clips than I have. I’m not sure any one person or thing could become as ubiquitous as YouTube. More so than say, Madonna. Another friend of mine, in fact, the friend that shares YouTube with my other computer illiterate friend once told me his theory that almost every person in the western hemisphere thinks about or stumbles upon Madonna at least once a day. Interesting theory. I don’t completely buy it. In fact, I openly disputed that idea with him. You can too. Just don’t do it while in a car with the radio on. It just might prove his theory correct (which, is kinda scary when you think about it)

YouTube is in that same category. In fact, I’ll state here and now that I personally believe that YouTube is now MORE popular than Madonna. And now they’re giving out awards! Check it out here.

I’m personally choosing not to click on “the best”. Not yet anyway.

From the site:

2006 was a pioneering year for online video, user-created content and the YouTube community. You let us into your bedrooms, created new forms of entertainment, and radicalized popular culture. Now it’s time to reflect on what a tremendous year it was and recognize the best of the best during the first YouTube Video Awards

Hmmm, I’m not 100% sure videos created from inside our bedrooms is a terribly *good* idea. I’ve never been inspired enough to post on YouTube.

But I confess, I’m one of those millions of people inspired enough to peer in. So way to go to those who are “the best”. Maybe next year there will be a YouTube show on TV hosted by Billy Crystal or Ellen Degeneres. It’s an odd idea isn’t? But then, nothing surprises me anymore.

I’ve been playing Flash Circle TD for days on end. I’m not sure if it’s as addictive as the first, but it’s definitely more challenging.

It’s now being hosted by candystand.com

There’s no interest now, so, whatever money you have, you have to make the most of it when placing towers in strategic spots. (Those who played the first version of this game know what I’m talking about)

I didn’t think I was much of a gamer, but the last week or so, I haven’t stopped.

So, be WARNED!!!

Hats off to the brit who designed this game though. I hope he was handsomely compensated while the rest of us rot our brains playing this game.

Candystand.com has been around for ages. They have hundreds of flash games, many of them promoting extensively candy products within the games themselves. Purist lovers who grew an addiction for the first version from mid January will be happy to know that towers aren’t shooting pieces of juicy fruit to would-be creep monsters. While there’s definitely a difference in strategy for this version of the game, it’s as addictive as the first.

I’m happy for the programmer. If you can create a game so popular that Candystand wants to host it, then you’ve made it big.

Direct link to the Flash Circle. My personal best so far is 2,546 points. I suspect as more and more people play this new version, that score won’t be all that significant at the “hard” level for very long.

I wonder if we’ll see more versions in the future? Either way, there’s not doubt in my mind that this is one example of an internet success.

I want to be reincarnated as a programmer.

Last week, and internet junkie friend had the “wisdom” to introduce to me a game that has kept me up at night. Err, or should I say many nights. Every once in a while, a game will capture my interest.

Flash Element TD is high addictive. It’s a flash game inspired by World of Warcraft. I’ve never played warcraft personally but something about the simplicity of this online version stuck with me.

The second part of this story fascinated my somewhat fledging internet marketing heart.

Critters aka David Scott, the creator of this game also decided to keep his fans apprised of his webserver stats, requesting donations to offset the bandwidth costs of keeping this game up. Given the obvious popularity of this game, that’s not surprising. The stats alone fascinated me The number of hits went from 13,000 the first day to over 1.5 million hits about 2 weeks later. WOW! Talk about a killer app!

There’s rumours about a newer version coming out in March. Until then, I challenge anyone who suffers from insomnia to beat my score. No, I didn’t cheat, but I’m sure if you google for tips you’ll find a ton of blogs offering lots and lots of tips on how to get top scores in this game.

Check out my best score.