May 2008

Google just released, in association with the Open Handset Alliance, a preview of what Android, an open-source mobile platform, will look like. The above video was taken at last night’s Google I/O ‘08 Keynote with more videos that focus solely on Android supposed to be released later today.

So far manufacturers like Motorola, Samsumg, LG, and HTC have all signed on board to support this service, which is said to be available in late 2008. In the meantime, Google has been busy releasing the Android Development SDK in addition to hosting a developer contest that will be awarding a total of $10 million dollars out to winners of each stage (with the top applications netting a cool $275,000 each).

Taken from developer website “WebMonkey.com” the device used in the demo had:

What does this mean for you and I? Well, for certain this will give products like Apple’s iPhone a run for it’s money. Currently the only way to release an application on the iPhone is to either “jailbreak” your iPhone in order to unlock it, or you’re forced to jump through a bunch of hoops setup by Apple which prevent any “vanilla” iPhones from being able to add applications that are not distributed officially by them. Meaning - you have to submit any program directly to Apple for approval if you want it to work on any freshly bought iPhone. By releasing a completely open-source mobile platform, Android enables developers the opportunity to deliver their software directly to the consumer without having to wait for any approval process.

Pretty cool stuff… hopefully this will entice Apple to change their current rules & regulations regarding application development…. I want to see more web-apps released for the iPhone. This will hopefully result in cheaper “smart phones” as well. $500 for a new blackberry is ridiculous.

There’s a more in-depth write-up on the ReadWriteWeb site that’s worth checking out. It compares Android against the iPhone even.

A friend and fellow interactive ad industry hoodlum Brandon Barr is taking part in this year’s Fund-a-Stache 2008. For the entire month of May he has grown a mustache but can only continue on with your donations.

The money all goes to a great cause - The Atlanta Community Food Bank and he’s been a real trooper about this whole donation drive. He first set goals in order to entice friends to donate, with the first being that if the donation level reached $500 he would sport for the remainder of the month what is called a “Picasso Mustache.” Following his word, when the amount was reached he shaved off part of his mustache accordingly and then went and upped the ante even by proposing that for every additional $100 donated, he would take a photo sporting his new ’stasche in a seemingly embarrassing situation… A donation of $50 will even garner you a specific photo request that will be added to his “embarrassing shot queue.”

If you read my tech/web blog - www.addto10.com, you may remember me posting about getting an iPod Shuffle as a thank you gift from StartupSchwag.com and that I was going to host some sort of contest to give it away. Instead, if by May 31st, when the donation drive ends, Brandon has reached his goal of $1000, the iPod will be given away to a RANDOM donator. So even if you only donate $5, you still have a chance at winning the ipod. In fact, if you donated five dollars but did it in fifty increments (meaning you are a kind soul who donated a total of $250), you would have 50X the chance of getting this brand-new, top of the line ipod shuffle. Not only that but you’d most likely get that warm feeling inside knowing that you both helped out a good cause and also gave us a chance to watch a grown man suffer through a full month looking like the kind of creep that asks small children if they want to play in his “mystery van full of candy.”

UPDATE 5/29/08:He’s reached his goal of $1000!! Thanks to everyone who donated, the drawing for the free ipod will occur on June 1st and we’ll contact the winner via email/phone.

So far he’s taken on the following photo-promises:
Read the rest of this entry »

Dippin’ Dots is celebrating their 20th year of being in business by offering a FREE cup of Birthday Cake Flavored Dippin’ Dots today, May 20th, from 4PM until closing time. So if you’re a fan of the product, now is your chance to sample a free flavor at participating locations. You can find a store near you by clicking on their “Find Locations” link at the top of the page. Congratulations go out to the inventor, Curt D. Jones - a true marketing genius… I still don’t see how this product ever became so popular, yet can be found in just about every mall - including in vending machines!