SocialWayne.com by Wayne Sutton

Archive for June, 2010


Posted on June 28, 2010 - by

Archiving @WayneSutton Twitter conversations from 2010-06-28


Posted on June 27, 2010 - by

Did the @WhiteHouse / @BarackObama pick @PlacePop to check-in over the other 20+ location-based services?

Is the White House using PlacePop to check-in?

A few minutes ago I received a push notification on my iPhone from @PlacePop that Barack Obama checked in at InterContinental Toronto Centre as you can see via the iPhone screenshot above. What is @PlacePop? Per the http://www.placepop.com website:

PlacePop is a place-based, social networking application developed by Ooga Labs – a San Francisco-based consumer technology greenhouse. The company was founded in 2009 by Kent Lindstrom, former CEO of the social networking website Friendster.
PlacePop fills a gap in the geo social networking market by providing a simple location-based social app for consumers, combined with a mobile, web-based affinity marketing platform for local businesses.

After seeing the message I did a little research to see if this was a fake account and it looks like about 12 days ago the Barack Obama account first checked-in to the Naval Technical Training Center, Corry Station and since then the White House – Oval Office. On another note, I don’t recall friending the Barack Obama account either, therefor I think it’s a partnership/marketing project with the social media team at the White House and PlacePop. Also the location/time of the check-in is someone what accurate being that the President is attending the G20 Summit in Toronto.

Barack Obama (obama_update) | PlacePop

Why is this a big deal or I’m blogging about it? Well for a couple of reasons. One being their are over 20 plus location-based services with @Foursquare, @Brightkite, @Loopt @whrrl and my favorite the hyper-local startup @TriOut (*partner) leading the way. PlacePop just launched in March, 2010 and if they landed a partnership with the White House or their PR/Social Media team that’s a big deal. Two, in a time where many attack Facebook for privacy and discuss the harms of using location-based services if the President of the United States (at least his traveling social media team) can use a location-based service to check-in so people can track his location, what does that say about everyone else or national security for that matter. Third, with the tech world drooling over the @Foursquare vs @Gowalla battle that is really not a battle, if it’s true what does it mean for them and other location-based services if the government picked PlacePop over them. Remember this: INFOGRAPHIC: If Obama Used Foursquare from @RWW in February 2010? Personally, I don’t think it means to much from a state of competition but more of a validation of the value of location-based services. Also note that “If” this true, PlacePop updates are more current than the @BarackObama tweets… interesting.

Regardless if it’s true or not PlacePop is an upcoming player in the location space and is one to watch for. At launch PlacePop had a check-in reward special with both Target and the Black Eyed Peas. Where the first 100 people to earn Silver status in PlacePop would receive 10 gift cards at Target and the first 1,000 people to check-in at any participating tour venue received a free song from the Black Eyed Peas. Those promotions were on the http://www.placepop.com/about/rewards/blackeyedpeas and http://www.placepop.com/about/rewards/target pages but are no longer showing up.

You can find me on PlacePop here: http://www.placepop.com/people/waynesutton

If you use PlacePop let me know how you use it in the comments below. If the @whitehouse / @BarackObama team are using @PlacePop to check-in what are your thoughts on the government using a location-based service?


Posted on June 27, 2010 - by

5 business or personal ways to use Google Latitude

Google Latitude lets you see your friends on a map on Google Maps for mobile and iGoogle. Use Latitude to plan an impromptu meetup, see that a loved one got home safely, or just stay in touch with friends.

While it seems like the rest of the world is focused on checking in and badges Google is quietly making changes and updating their location-based services. One of their services is Google Latitude. Earlier this year Google launched Google Latitude API for developers and although I have yet to see any apps implement Google Latitude or build an alternative Google Latitude app, SimpleGEO has said their product supports Google Latitude, read SimpleGeo and Google’s Latitude API post.

Google Latitude

But what about every day or business use for Google Latitude? Well that is something everyone is still asking and trying to figure out. As a location-based geek and partner of a location-based startup @TriOut, I try to use as many location-based services as possible and Google Latitude is one of them. Therefor I’ve been using Google Latitude to track my status the past few weeks and although it doesn’t actually say check-in here that’s what I’ve been doing. Take look at the video below to see my Google location history via Google Latitude from June 1 to June 27.

Looking at my location history and finding this post on Google Latitude last week called “The only use I’ve found so far for Google Latitude” I’m now thinking about possible business or personal ways to use Google Latitude. Here are 5 ways I came up with.

1. Real-Time nearby friends sms notifications
Google Latitude friends nearby notification
Instead of you launching an application to see where your friends are, Google Latitude can send you a sms if they’re nearby.

2. Mobile employee tracking
This is something that’s easier on a Google Android phone where you can natively have the Google latitude application run in the background. For iPhone and other mobile devices users will have to manually launch the Google Latitude app to mark their location.

3. Location-based content finding/sharing with Google Buzz
Google Latitude
Google Latitude and Google Buzz work seemsly together and Google Latitiude has a buzz layer where you can find nearby content based on your Google Latitude location.

4. Family trip notifications.
As @jeffhilimire stated in his blog post. If your mom or other members of the family keep calling you while on vacation to check your status on a family trip, ask them to friend you on Google Latitude. Then just keep marking/checking in during your trip and they can see your exact location.

5. Create a customer notification/messaging list
Google Latitude Friends
This one is questionable and takes some work. But you could create a Google profile account for your business, encourage your customers to friend you and check-in using Google Latitude. Then you can have a list of your customers, see when they visited and email them as well. You may be crossing a thin line with that one but it’s an option. Google would prefre you to use Google Places instead.

Bonus & Tip
Of course you could use Google Latitude to stalk your friends/family therefor be careful using not only Google Latitude but any location based service. Make sure you check your privacy settings especially if you own a Android powered device.

For more on Google Latitude see the video: Google Latitude explained via @google

How do you use Google Latitude or see a use for it?


Posted on June 27, 2010 - by

Archiving @WayneSutton Twitter conversations from 2010-06-27

  • @obiokere depending on your mobile traveling needs and/or if you're a mac user or pre-existing iphone user the evo might be better for you in reply to obiokere #
  • #ishallnotbedefeated confirmed working my old iPhone 3Gs on T-Mobile with mms & web working. Whew! http://twitpic.com/20372n #
  • @RobLaughter oh, left that part out, had to downgrade 3GS from iOS4 to 3.1.3 then jailbreak for T-Mobile. Not messing with iOS4 for t-mobile in reply to RobLaughter #
  • @klaatu that's just wrong, you know I'm giving up KKD for 30days cc @qthrul in reply to klaatu #
  • Have a great Saturday. Get out and enjoy the weekend! #
  • RT “@iFroggy: .@beley is giving the "Marketing by Design" presentation today at @convergese in Columbia, SC. Have fun! :) #theateam

    Posted on June 26, 2010 - by

    Video: Apple Employee Talks to Puppet using FaceTime video chat on the iPhone 4

    Here’s a fun how to handle weird customer support phone calls without getting freak out story. You knew someone was going to do something crazy when it was announced that Apple had setup a 1-888-FACETIME (188832238463) number so iPhone 4 users could test out FaceTime and talk to an live Apple rep. Now we have a YouTube video of a puppet making a FaceTime call. I wonder after this will we see Darth Vader and more cast of characters making FaceTime videos on youtube. Regardless check out the funny video below to see what happens when a puppet makes a FaceTime call to Apple.

    I’m glad the employee didn’t hang up or get mad or insult the puppet or we would probablly see a rush in blog post about bad customeor support and/or “Apple Employee hangs up on puppet” type post. But this is another example of good customer service by Apple and for anyone on how to handel weird/puppets phone calls. :)

    I’m a big fan of FaceTime, as it’s one of the reason I stood in line for 4 1/2 hours to buy an iPhone 4. Here are a couple of screenshots testing FaceTime with @Jakrose and @evancarroll.

    FaceTime with @jakrose FaceTime with @evancarroll

    Hat Tip to @Tiffani for the Puppet video tweet and @Gizmodo for posting.

    RT @kenseto: FaceTime and Puppets and Apple Employees. Oh my! http://bit.ly/dfXR5V (lmao. I’m glad he talked to the puppet still lol)Sat Jun 26 16:09:17 via Twitter for iPhoneTiffani Ashley Bell
    tiffani

    If a puppet calls you on FaceTime how would you react?


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