Tag Archives: iPhone
Here’s to the crazy ones.
Call me sentimental, but every time I watch this commercial I am moved to tears. Seeing someone succeed when the odds are against them does that to me.
Steve Jobs’ resignation this week has spurred an onslaught of reflection usually reserved for someone who has left this mortal life—not someone who just stepped down as CEO. But as so many have been quick to point out, Steve Jobs wasn’t just CEO of Apple. He was Apple.
His leadership was unique in that it bridged the gap between the business side of the business and the creative side of the business. He inspired people, and he expected more out of them. And what he got in return was nothing short of greatness.
A self-proclaimed gadget freak, I am probably one of Apple’s biggest fans. From the very first MacIntosh computer I touched in the summer of 1987 to my first generation iPod to my current iPhone, I love everything about them. I love the packaging, the user interface, the way the instruction booklet talks to me like I’m an old friend and above all else, the sheer beauty of the design.
I am currently enjoying my sixth computer, my fifth iPod, my second iPhone and hoping Santa brings me an iPad this December. And I pray that it doesn’t stop there. If Steve Jobs orchestrated his succession plan as well as he built his empire, there will be many yet unnamed iGadgets in my future—that I didn’t even know I needed, but absolutely have to have.
Programming with teeth.
It’s that time of year again—my favorite week of television—Discovery Channel’s Shark Week. In case you’ve been out of the loop lately, Shark Week is the Super Bowl of nature shows. I have every episode recording on my DVR—we don’t play around.
In the middle of an episode, Discovery began promoting its Shark Week mobile app, and as a new iPhone user, of course, I had to download it. While watching, my phone vibrated and asked a shark facts question—which I answered correctly and got 200 points. I quickly realized that I was competing with other people from all across the country who were playing along while watching the show. The app also allows me to chat with those users in a real-time live message platform.
In addition to the app, Facebook is integrated into nearly every page of their website and mobile web. You can share photos on Facebook which also show up on the Discovery website and filter into the mobile app. There are “share” links for Facebook and Twitter on every page, links to live Ustream footage, and an option to download full episodes on iTunes.
This year’s Shark Week is the best yet because producers have successfully created an online community of Shark Week geeks by combining their social, TV and web strategies. It’s an integrated approach to a toothy and fabulous week of television.
Rubber, meet road.
Today, I read about Square. In addition to the name, which I obviously like, I’m blown away by its ingenuity and simplicity. What is Square? TechCrunch writes:
The idea–let people quickly and easily accept physical credit card payments from their mobile phone. A small device attaches to the phone via the headset/microphone jack. The device gets the power it needs to send data to the phone from the swipe of the card, and sends the information over the microphone connection.
Think paypal, but anyone can now accept physical credit card payments, too. With no contracts or monthly fees. People are sent receipts by text and email.
This is a perfect example of how the iPhone (fine, Elena, all smartphones) is changing the game. The peripheral market created by these devices is huge. Rubber, meet road. In other words (and this is where brands need to pay attention), the technology is merely the means to an end. It is the conduit, the feature. The real gold is buried in its application. How does this stuff affect how I work, operate, live? Why do I care?
Square answers this question instantly. The first frame on the web site reads: Accept payments. Everywhere.
Good stuff–definitely one to watch. It also doesn’t hurt that its founder started another little venture you may have heard of, Twitter.
Shortformblog astutely points out, like Twitter, it’s dead simple. Unlike Twitter, it’s not a super-esoteric concept at the out set, begging people to figure out why it’s necessary. It just makes sense.
I’m just happy their logo is green. Otherwise, we would’ve had to throw down.
