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I woke up this morning to find out something was different with my Gmail. Overnight it seems as if Google and Facebook have fornicated their technological impulses and created the newest love child of the social networking world: Google Buzz. Though Twitter might demand a paternity test from Google, this “buzzing” community is the latest of social networks trying to innovate fast-track communication.

Google Buzz, channeled through Google’s popular Gmail service, allows users to micro-blog and upload pictures as well as link to other users and websites. And like one of its predecessors, Twitter, it lets you “follow” other members and blog about, well, whatever you want. However, it definitely has Facebook’s eyes, allowing you to comment on updates directly without all the weird @, #, etc. symbols that I still don’t understand with “tweets”. It also has the highly coveted “like” feature that Facebookers obnoxiously seem to enjoy. (Hmm maybe Google Buzz will get a dislike option that Facebook has yet to cave to – could be interesting.)

However, unlike the launch of other social networks, Google Buzz has already taken the initiative for current Gmail account holders. Before I even heard the buzzing, I apparently was following a couple dozen of my closest Gmail contacts and a handful were following me. I also had a link to the “Buzz” conveniently placed under my Inbox link, equipped with a Simon Says-esque color wheel, just in case I missed it.

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With February upon us, nobody is safe from Cupid’s arrow.  Cupid is an important symbol of Valentine’s Day and in Roman mythology, his name stands for the god of love and beauty.  Cupid has remained apparent as a representation of love for many people throughout the world, with online dating services and wedding chapels now named after him.  An eponym is a name derived from a real person or fictional character.  In some cases, the person’s name and the word are exactly the same and the word simply takes on a new meaning.  In other cases the person’s name is slightly changed.  Many modern-day products and companies have utilized eponyms and are now successfully positioned in the marketplace as highly recognized brands.  Several have also incorporated these ideas into their logos. Continue Reading »

I have bone to pick about apps. With the launch of the iPhone and now the iPad, apps have become big business and many large brands have created apps to enhance engagement with its products. The world has gone app crazy – or so it appears.

Here’s my problem. In North America, approximately 9 million Americans have an iPhone while Blackberry has nearly 15 million users. So, WHY are apps for the iPhone significantly outnumber the number for BlackBerry. Us BlackBerry users still want to be able access Rolling Stone’s concert vault, hold up fake lighters, look at maps of foreign countries and anything else that apps can help me do.

Come on developers. Don’t forget about the BlackBerry users. We need fancy apps to pass the time in line and at stop lights too.

Contributed by: Beth Anne McPheeters