Drink up Apple iPhone, iBeerKeg novelty app

Sprint bets the company on the Apple iPhone 5, Apple press conference in less than an hour

By Robin Rowe

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Gosh!TV) 10/4/2011 – What can you do when you’re the #3 U.S. phone carrier and most of the customers leaving you say it’s because you don’t offer the Apple iPhone. Reportedly, you commit to buying $20 billion worth of iPhones over four years whether you can sell them or not. That’s a bet-the-company sized commitment.

In less than an hour Apple is holding a press conference that’s expected to announce the iPhone 5, a mobile device rumored to be half as thick, with a better camera and better screen than the iPhone 4. Whatever Apple announces, they can be confident that they will sell them. Sprint, AT&T and Verizon have already committed to buying them. This pre-sales strategy enables Apple to lock in deals with Asian parts suppliers. For Sprint, it means they need to take a third of the U.S. phone market in order to sell them.

Update…

The iPhone 5 … not yet! It’s the iPhone 4S. The 4S has an improved camera, voice activated assistance and has faster processing and downloads.

With Siri voice activation, iPhone owners can hit their home button, ask questions about time and weather, or to make a phone call. Yelp also works with this system. Apple purchased Siri about a year and a half ago.

The cost for the 16 gigabytes iPhone 4S is $199 with a two-year carrier contract; 32 GB for $299 and 64 GB models for $399. The iPhone 4 will cost $99 and the iPhone 3GS will be free with a plan. Pre-orders will be accepted starting Friday. The 4S will be available on Oct. 14th.

Sony Xperia Ray, elegant Android phone, $600 price

Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray, elegant, expensive and not here yet

By Gabrielle Pantera

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Gosh!TV) 10/3/2011 – The Xperia Ray, last seen at CommunicAsia earlier this year along with the Xperia Active has been spotted in stores for around $600, but only in Malaysia. No word when the 1Ghz Android 2.3 phone comes to the U.S.

It’s a sleek smartphone with an aluminum frame, Reality Display and 8.1mp camera. It’ has a 3.3” screen and runs the latest Android platform for smartphones (Gingerbread 2.3). It offers HD video and is 9.4mm thick.

The phone incorporates a front facing camera and a scratch resistant screen with high resolution and brightness and integrated touch keys. Sony Ericsson integrates Facebook inside Xperia, Google services, and access to over 250,000 Apps via the Android Market.

HTML 5 canvas, drawing 3D in your web browser

Adobe CTO Kevin Lynch keynote and SoDA Unconference highlight Adobe MAX conference happening this week, October 1st to 5th

By Gabrielle Pantera

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Gosh!TV) 10/2/2011 – Adobe Max, the conference for Adobe multimedia technology happening at Los Angeles Nokia Center this week, is an alternative the Mac World conference in January. Adobe with Flash and Apple don’t always play nice, but perhaps that’s changing with HTML 5. Apple iPads don’t support Flash, but all Apples render HTML 5.

“Adobe is developing great software around HTML5,” says Adobe CTO Kevin Lynch. “HTML5 can be used to deliver rich experiences on the Web, and will become ubiquitous across mobile devices and desktop computers.”

HTML5 adds new multimedia features to the syntax of the page language that underlie the Internet, with tags like <video>, <audio>, <header> and <canvas> and the integration of SVG graphics content. The HTML 5 standard has emerged to turn back the encroachment of proprietary extensions to the HTML language common today, particularly Adobe Flash.

Lynch says Adobe is enhancing Dreamweaver for HTML5. There’s also the Adobe Edge project. Over 100,000 users have downloaded the preview release of Edge, a new design tool for HTML.

New to HTML 5? Here’s a short introduction to the HTML 5 <canvas> element:

https://developer.mozilla.org/en/Canvas_tutorial/Basic_usage

At this year’s Adobe MAX Conference, technology and creative leaders from SoDA member agencies will be presenting case studies and presenting a free “unConference” for users of Adobe solutions. It’s a 2-Day unConference and a Digerati Mixer, free for Adobe MAX attendees.

http://societyofdigitalagencies.org/programs/

SoDA was formed in 2007 when 13 digital agency CEOs decided to get together to talk about where the digital creative industry is going. It became an official group at SXSW in 2008 and gained a founding partner, Adobe.

SoDAs 2011 MAX content is a combination of participant-driven unConferences and Workshop sessions over a 2 day period, October 3-4, 2011. The Workshops will feature first-hand case studies from SoDA Members and perspectives from Adobe Product Specialists on projects utilizing Adobe solutions, including HTML 5. The Digerati Mixer will take place poolside on October 3rd at the Figueroa Hotel.

Adobe MAX is October 3-5 in Los Angeles at Nokia Center.

More sophisticated HTML 5 examples:

http://www.harrynorthover.com/blog/2010/11/19/a-basic-javascript-3d-renderer/

SoDA unComference Program

SoDA at Adobe MAX 2011 – 2 Day unConference & Digerati Mixer

Technology and creative leaders from SoDA member agencies will be presenting case studies as well as engaging in candid, no holds barred conversations on key issues, challenges and opportunities for users of Adobe solutions.  See schedule below for the range of topics to be covered.

Invited speakers include leading digital agencies such as: B-Reel, Blitz, EffectiveUI, Firstborn, Fluid, Phenomblue, Rain, Rockfish, Terralever, Unit9, and Zemoga.

*The 2-Day unConference will be held at the L.A. Convention Center and the Digerati Mixer will take place at the Figueroa Hotel.

Monday 10/3 Schedule:

12-1 pm – unConference Discussion – The Future of Flash?

-Let’s rip off the Band-Aid and debate the future of Flash as a digital platform over the short and long term.

1-2 pm – Case Study Session – HTML5

-In this session, we’ll look at some of the earliest examples of HTML5 development using Adobe Edge, gauging the reactions to the tool thus far.  We’ll also explain the ground rules for SoDA’s HTML5-Off Challenge, the winner of which will be announced before the end of the event.

2-3 pm – Case Study Session – Enterprise Solutions

-In this session, we’ll look at examples of projects that leveraged Adobe’s enterprise development tools to rapidly build and deploy innovative content management and business process management applications.

3-4 pm – Case Study Session – Multi-screen Development

-In this session, we will focus on the challenges and solutions SoDA member agencies have experienced crafting a compelling digital experience that engaged consumers across a wide range of digital channels – using Adobe solutions – adjusted content to customer context using (smartphones, tablets, Internet-enabled televisions, etc.)

4-5 pm – Case Study Session- Analytics

-During the Analytics session, we’ll showcase projects that featured deep integration of Omniture web analytics to generate insights, positively impact revenue and bolster key brand health metrics.  We’ll also discuss the pros and cons of the primary analytics tools in the marketplace.

8-10 pm – Digerati Mixer at Figueroa Hotel
939 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles CA, 90015, (213) 627-8971

-For the third year in a row, SoDA will be holding a poolside Mixer complete with appetizers, cocktails and intriguing conversations among peers.  Your first drink is complimentary.

Tuesday 10/4 Schedule:
12-1 pm – Case Study Session – AIR 3 for Mobile

-We’ll look at early experiences with AIR 3 for the development of out-of-browser applications across devices and platforms.  We’ll also discuss the pros and cons of the tool thus far and debate the future direction of packager tools versus “native” development.

1-2 pm – Case Study Session – Digital Publishing

-Projects that leveraged Adobe’s Digital Publishing Suite to create, distribute, monetize and optimize traditional or online publications for tablet devices will be presented.  We will also look at examples of agency work using Adobe tools to create immersive brand advertising efficiently for a broad array of tablet devices.

2-3 pm – Case Study Session – Gaming

-In this case study session, we’ll look at innovative games created with Adobe tools, discussing the issues and solutions encountered during the development process (i.e. cross-browser or cross-platform challenges, stumbling blocks games embedded in social networks, opportunities for gaming initiatives using Adobe AIR technology to deploy a flash game on iOS devices, hurdles faced for games ported from the Flash platform to consoles like Nintendo Wii or Microsoft Xbox 360, etc).

3-4 pm – Case Study Session – Holistic Adobe Solutions

-Initiatives developed using a broad range of Adobe tools – from Omniture to Adobe’s WEM Solutions will be presented.  This session will center on initiatives that:
Allowed for mass personalization of interactive experiences & social collaboration
Captured customer insights, measured content relevance as well as analyzed audience engagement via Omniture to measure ROI
Adjusted content seamlessly across a myriad of devices.

4-5 pm – unConference Discussion – Future Focus for Adobe

-We’ll discuss what industry insiders/practitioners would like to see Adobe focus on in the near and far term.  In this session, SoDA will serve as a conduit for industry influentials to provide open, honest feedback on Adobe solutions.   Any other topics participants want to discuss are welcome!

Automating Twitter with WordPress

Free Internet app automatically posts stories to Twitter

By Robin Rowe

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Gosh!TV) 7/21/2011 – Simple Twitter Connect plugin to make connecting a WordPress blog to Twitter easy. Unlike Twitter Tools and other systems, this plugin uses Twitter’s latest authentication mechanisms. No putting in Twitter names or passwords. Clicking the Connect with Twitter button will redirect a user to Twitter for approval, then bring them back to where they came from, only now with their Twitter credentials available for use. Fully compatible with Simple Facebook Connect. Requires WordPress 2.9+ and PHP 5.

By Gabrielle Pantera

HookIt.com social network for mountain bikers and other active sports enthusiasts

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Gosh!TV) 6/1/2011 –“Piranha X, is the leading guy’s grooming line for young, active and adventurous guys, so it was only natural to partner with Hookit.com, which is the largest social network for action sports and active lifestyles,” says founder Michael Vincent. Developed in conjunction with Monster Energy Drinks, the nationwide tour, runs through September 15th. This promotional road show is to announce the launch of Hookit’s new iPhone and Android mobile applications and enlist new members in the popular Monster Army program.

Hookit.com is a social network for motocross, skate, surf, snow, BMX, MTB and other action sports. The website has partnerships with local sports and businesses across the nation who are passionate about sports and active lifestyles. “We are working to build the brand and sponsoring action sports athletes,” says Vincent. “The vision is to have the brand stand on its own in a way that exudes cool confidence.”

Hookit.com has over 700,000 members in 137 countries and works with over 400 industry related brands and local businesses. The website helps action sports enthusiasts find local sports and events, post sessions, connect with other members and get deals from brands and local businesses. The tour will visit and promote 150 skate, motocross, surf, BMX, MTB and wake spots and shops around the country, while featuring top local athletes and running contests and give-aways to win products from Piranha X and tour partners Monster Energy, Osiris Shoes, GoPro Cameras, Spy Optic and AXO USA.

“I wanted to create a grassroots personal care brand that resonated with guys and what guys are into,” says Vincent.. “Oh yeah, we wanted girls to love the fragrance as well.”

Formulated by top chemists, Piranha X includes men’s hair care, styling, body spray, shower gel, and deodorant products. The line uses Mika, an exfoliating product that helps create smoother, more attractive, healthier skin and hair. Michael Vincent is an American film director, producer, singer, songwriter and black belt martial artist. In creating Piranha X, he sought a product line to go beyond what is expected, to keep the line focused on a fresh and hip, quality product that allows the consumer to focus on the dynamics of their lives.

Piranha X is currently sold at all Meijers Stores, and beginning July 1st, will be available at all CVS stores in California. Piranha X is also available online at www.meijer.com and www.cvs.com.  the shampoo line ranges from $4-$6 and the hair fixtures range from $5-$13.

www.hookit.com/tour

By Robin Rowe

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Gosh!TV) 3/31/2011 – Gosh!TV, in collaboration with the Hollywood industry association ScreenPlayLab, gives away free laptops to the homeless and other worthy causes. I’m one of the founders of ScreenPlayLab, a 4,500-member group of writers, actors and producers. The Laptops Give Hope initiative came about after a ScreenPlayLab member mentioned his laptop had died. As a starving actor he couldn’t afford to replace it and couldn’t look for work without it. I gave him an old laptop I wasn’t using. I found out later that the actor’s circumstances were much more dire than I had imagined, that getting a free laptop made a crucial difference in his life.

For over a year, ScreenPlayLab members have been donating laptops every month in order to help other struggling artists. Free laptop rrecipient are people who are already helping themselves as much as they can under the circumstances, where getting a laptop would give them the tools to make a significant change for the better in their life or in the lives of others.

There’s no non-profit corporation, no grant, and no board for Laptops Give Hope. It’s a 100% volunteer grassroots effort. It empowers the homeless by taking laptops headed for the junk pile, refurbishing them, and giving them to those who desperately need a laptop to better themselves. Recipients receive laptops ready to be used to search for jobs on the Internet, write resumes or grant proposals as Word documents, and to edit budgets as Excel spreadsheets.

Because the donated laptops are castoffs, they are older machines. They often have to be kept plugged in because the batteries won’t hold a charge. Any donated machines that are in truly bad shape go to the recycling station at UCLA. The rest get minor repairs and are wiped to eliminate any viruses, pirated software or personal data. The free Puppy Linux operating system is then installed. That’s looks like Windows, and although it doesn’t run Windows software, it includes free office software than edits Word and Excel documents. The laptop has WiFi for getting on the Internet. Starbucks or a friendly neighbor who has wireless DSL are access points to get on the Internet for free.

Recipients must be members of ScreenPlayLab. The group can be joined for free by signing up through the ScreenPlayLab website. Recipients are typically residents of Los Angeles in disadvantaged circumstances. An exception was a laptop delivered to New York to a producer so she could write a grant proposal for a program to help the deaf.

While the laptops are intended to help the disadvantaged, there aren’t enough laptops to help everyone who has a hard luck story. What the program looks for is a good business plan to achieve tangible results that make a positive difference and achieve self-sufficiency. Applicants email contact details and a note that describes how having the laptop will make a positive difference in his life or the lives of others and increase self-sufficiency.

ScreenPlayLab members receive a weekly newsletter of industry events by email. That gives details of where  to donate or apply for a free laptop.

www.ScreenPlayLab.com

By Robin Rowe

Trouble with Windows shares on Mac OS X Snow Leopard

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Gosh!TV) 2/14/2011 – Upgrading to Snow Leopard results in problems accessing Windows shares, giving the dreaded “Connection Failed” message.  A lot of users have encountered this problem and suggested many workarounds. Here’s what worked for us.

1. In Finder, if you don’t see the Windows or Linux SAMBA machine you want to access from your Mac under SHARED, you may need to look at solving that problem first. You may have a network or SAMBA configuration issue or not have showing SHARED in the Finder sidebar turned on in your Mac configuration.
2. Click on your Windows share, if it says “Connection Failed”, you have the problem this article addresses.
3. In Network settings on your Mac under Advanced, set your WINS workgroup to “Workgroup” and set IPV6 to “OFF”. You might need to reboot.
4. Try your Windows share again. If it still doesn’t work, try {Go}{Connect to Server} and enter your Windows server name manually. If your Windows box is named Mercury, that would be: “smb://mercury”. Enter any login credentials your Windows share requires.

That should do it. Your share should appear under SHARED in the Finder sidebar. Works with Windows and Linux SAMBA shares.

By Robin Rowe

Heroes showrunner Tim Kring uses Twitter to give clues to Conspiracy for Good

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Gosh!TV) 10/3/2010 – “I’ve been exploring new ways to use storytelling to bring a positive message to the world that allows for greater audience participation,” says Heroes showrunner Tim Kring who will be speaking at the #140conf Los Angeles conference on October 3rd.

“I’m going to be talking about Conspiracy For Good, a first of its kind multi-platform narrative whose pilot rolled out over the Internet, on mobile and on the streets of London this summer,” says Kring. “The project combines narrative with causes, resulting in positive real-world change and launching a new genre that we’re calling Social Benefit Storytelling.” Kring is launching a next generation, new media production company called Imperative. He also has a new novel out, called Shift.

The #140conf Los Angeles conference presents speakers on the leading edge of utilizing Twitter, Facebook and other real-time web platforms in the realms of media, music, advertising, marketing, real estate, food, education and the arts. The event is taking place at the Music Box Theatre in Hollywood.

“What started out as an idea to create, produce and host an event that explored Twitter as a platform and the effects of Twitter on celebrity, the media, advertising and politics, has evolved into a worldwide gathering of people from multiple industries,” says conference organizer Jeff Pulver. “The real-time web continues to disrupt some industries while dis-intermediating others. It provides a platform for inspired and innovative people to change the world and continues to help redefine business communications.”

“We’ll be talking about how writers are using real-time web to develop community, extend their reach, and make things happen,” says #140conf speaker Debra Eckerling. “On my panel are Zac Sanford, one of the creators of #Scriptchat, and Carmen Elena Mitchell, creator of the web series The Real Girls Guide to Everything Else.”

The Real Girls is an award-winning web-based video series. Creator Carmen Elena Mitchel says she likes Sex and the City, but grew tired of the shoe shopping and boy-stalking. The characters in her series would be ethnically diverse, care deeply about social and political issues and be strong, opinionated women. Distributing The Real Girls on the Web gave Mitchel freedom as a writer unlike TV where a show must appeal to the network’s demographic and be a good fit with their other programs.

“Social media has given me the opportunity to extend the reach of my writers website and community to people all over the world,” says Eckerling. She uses Facebook.com/WriteOnOnline and Twitter as a place for writers to post goals, share successes and connect with other writers.

Another area where social media is making an impact is the non-profit sector. Animax is a multi-platform production and marketing company working with the Ad Council, U.S. Forest Service, and State Foresters on Smokey Bear and with the Starlight Children’s Foundation, the Steven Spielberg charity.

“We’ll be talking about case studies of things that have worked and haven’t worked, everything from deployment of content, to how you handle conversations, to the media that you tap into, to what are the new emerging technologies to watch,” says Animax president Michael Bellavia.

The Smokey Bear “Only you can prevent forest fires” message is the longest running PSA campaign in U.S. history. A new campaign is rolling out this week, coinciding with Fire Prevention Week. Animax has been working with the Ad Council since June on a new series of Smokey Bear PSAs, from video to outdoor to radio. Their social media campaign spans Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Animax has also produced a series of Flash-based info-driven games that hosted on the Smokey Bear website itself.

During Bellavia’s #140conf session, a representative of the Starlight Children’s Foundation will talk not only their public social network but their closed private network, StarbrightWorld.org. That’s not a revenue-generating site for donations. It’s a hub of communications for teens who have serious illnesses. “This is a closed network for them to be able to talk with other kids who have the diseases that they have, to connect with other kids experiencing some of the same physical, social, emotional issues,” says Bellavia.

“At #140conf, we embrace the people behind the stories and provide a platform to be heard and at times, discovered,” says Pulver. That’s two days of panel sessions running 15 to 20 minutes each and individual talks from 10 or 15 minutes. There’s a networking event and cocktail party on Oct 4th from 7:30pm PM to 10pm with a piano player, drinks, and food. Pulver is co-sponsoring a benefit for Street Performers United on October 3rd. The #140conf Los Angeles conference is on October 4th and 5th at the Music Box Theatre, 6126 Hollywood Blvd.

http://lax.140conf.com/

By Robin Rowe

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Gosh!TV) 9/23/2010 - Greyfix is a lightweight open source Postfix plug-in that relies on the Berkeley Database to bounce about 90% of SPAM without a significant server load and no false-positives. At the enterprise level it causes mail from first-time senders to be postponed. The default is hours although 10 minutes is sufficient. Most spammers will move on, not bother to resend postponed mail. Changes to the settings are made in the C code. There’s no settings file. The software is small, reliable and uses fast C code.

Greyfix Installation on Linux CentOS

yum search berkeley
yum install db4-devel
./configure
make
sudo make install

Add to /etc/postfix/master.cf (different on Solaris)

greyfix    unix  -       n       n       –       –       spawn
user=nobody argv=/usr/local/sbin/greyfix -/ 24

Add to /etc/postfix/main.cf (not Solaris)

smtpd_recipient_restrictions = permit_mynetworks,
reject_unauth_destination,
check_policy_service unix:private/greyfix

# /usr/sbin/postfix reload
# tail /var/log/maillog

Panel of fashion marketing experts to discuss the impact of social media at FGI Los Angeles event on May 20th, 2010

By Robin Rowe

International jeans brand Diesel uses social media for "Be Stupid" campaign that urges consumers to take risks

HOLLYWOOD, CA  (Gosh!TV) 5/19/2010 – “No one has it 100% right,” says Fashionably Digital CEO Macala Wright Lee. “Success depends on how a brand or retailer is integrating social media into their overall marketing plan. During New York Fashion Week, Sorel stood out with their Style Coalition (stylecoalition.com) campaign and G-Star did an amazing job with their blogger site.”

Twitter and Facebook have become part of the standard marketing mix as customer information tools and for customer service. E-commerce is evolving into social commerce. “Bloggers with fierce use of Polyvore.com have caused brands and retailers to develop rich media tools to enhance online shopping experiences,” says Lee.

“Social media is a game-changer,” says Fox Rothschild Fashion Law Practice Group chair Staci Riordan. “It gives companies the ability to by-pass the traditional gate keepers of fashion. Social media will change the way clothes are marketed and sold, bringing what’s in stores closer to what’s in season as well as allowing customers to purchase the looks they see on the runways, or on TV, as soon as the show is over.” Riordan is the founder and editor of the Fashion Law Blog (http://fashionlaw.foxrothschild.com).

“I think Burberry is doing a great job with social media, along with smaller companies like Bonobos, which uses YouTube very well,” says Riordan. “Scootergirls have built an amazing cult following on twitter.. I follow many designers and like those that talk about their world,

instead of merely posting what’s on sale.”

The brands and retailers Lee says are doing the best at using Facebook, Twitter and other social media for marketing and brand development are Hayden-Harnett (@Hayden_Harnett), Need Supply Co., Kate Spade, ModCloth.com and LOFT, (@Loft).

“Location based marketing (LBS) and geo-location services such as Gowalla and Foursquare are huge because of their potential to take online customer offline and into stores,” says Lee. “Marc Jacobs, Jimmy Choo and Diesel are all testing the potential of Foursquare. Diesel’s BE STUPID campaign is probably on my top 10 Lists of best branded campaigns in 2010.”

“Social media should not just be another billboard,” says Riordan.  “It’s a way to engage your customer and get to know him or her better. I think licensing will be key in 2011.”

Social media conversations can yield valuable market research, customer insights and competitor information. Lee recommends using social media monitoring tools, such as partner Attensity360.

Fashionably Digital is going to be building the community over the next year for Sense of Fashion, a new client that’s recently funded. Sense Of Fashion (SenseOFashion.com) is an international, social fashion community that is the fastest growing indie fashion marketplace on the web says Lee.

Another Fashionably Digital project are the mobile style apps Stylish Girl + Cool Guy (www.stylishandcool.com). Lee says Stylish + Cool has had over 500,000 downloads from iTunes and have 100,000 active users. “We’re developing a more robust version that integrates geo-location services such as Foursquare,” says Lee.

Riordan is working on a national series of events that address the hot topics in fashion law, including the Design Piracy Prohibition Act (DPPA), managing your fashion company in the new economy, and using social media tools to build brand.

A “Social Media Secrets” panel discussion is being presented by fashion industry association Fashion Group International Los Angeles (http://fgila.org). A panel of experts will discuss social media marketing for fashion, using blogs and networking brand development.

The panel members:

• FashionablyMarketing.Me editor-in-chief Macala Wright Lee
• The-Coveted.com blogger Jennine Jacob
• PRCouture.com founder Crosby Noricks
• Fox Rothschild fashion attorney Staci Riordan
• Stonefield Josephson financial planner Ron Friedman

The event is May 20th, 2010, from 6pm to 9pm at Stonefield Josephson, 2049 Century Park East, Level D Conference Room, Los Angeles.