Good review from our friends over at TUAW.
Some thoughts on iPhone OS 3.0
by Mel Martin on Mar 17th 2009
I was a bit taken aback and pleasantly surprised by all the features crammed into the 'coming by summer' update. Stereo Bluetooth on 3G and iPod touch, a hint of tethering support if cell providers provision it, and turn by turn navigation, which I think surprised many. Apple had signaled last year that there were lots of problems in providing this feature.
MMS and copy and paste were big features on many users lists, and some had predicted MMS would not make it.
And then there are little surprises, like in-app purchasing. Take a wild guess on how fast Amazon will add this to their Kindle app. Peer to peer communication between iPhones will open up a whole new world of unexpected and leading edge apps and games.
Of course 'push' capability made it in, finally, and developers will have fun exploiting all the possibilities.
It's a good bet that Apple is responding to competition, especially from the upcoming Palm Pre. There was a perception that Apple had fallen behind in the feature wars, and this update will quench a lot of that chatter. Even with this massive update, people will still want to use their phone as a camcorder, and voice dial didn't make it into the mix, at least so far. Apple has said they may have more to announce.
I can't remember any software update for a phone that added so many features. When I had a Windows Mobile phone, updates were seldom seen and were generally not very exciting. Mostly, I remember a few bug fixes, but not many new features.
Apple is to be congratulated for doing so much with the existing iPhone 3G and iPod touch, but I can also sympathize with owners of the first generation iPhone that will get some, but not all of the new features due to limitations in the original hardware.
On balance it is nice to see two trends that I hope continue. First, Apple is responding to user feedback, and also responding to the market in ways that the old Apple did not.
I think a day like today makes most people happy they have an iPhone, as it is proving to be an investment that keeps renewing itself. Certainly, there is a good chance that Apple will release new hardware this year, with even more features, more memory, and likely a faster processor.
Still, this is a rather mammoth update and pretty much like getting a whole new phone. It speaks directly to those who say 'I'd buy an iPhone if it had cut and paste, or MMS, but otherwise no sale'.
Sure, it would be nice if the original iPhone shipped with all those features, but Apple has continued to invest in and enhance this platform, doing things their own way and on their own schedule.
All in all, I feel pretty good about Apple today. How about you? Let the flames begin.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
iPhone 3.0 full of surprise and delight
Friday, February 20, 2009
Glamour Oasis All Star Weekend 2009 Phoenix, AZ
We own the After Hours!!!
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Tuesday, February 10, 2009
NBA All Star Mix CD 2009
We are excited about our Glamour Oasis events coming up for the 2009 NBA All Star Weekend Afterhours in Phoenix, AZ. Click on the link below for the free download. We plan for the most upscale events of the weekend at the Calvin Charles Gallery in Scottsdale. Let's Go!!!
http://www.zshare.net/audio/551285528924c1b2/
Men Shop Too...
Frugality has changed the game. I have been saying for years that men shop too. This is proof positive. Great article from Ad Age on the emerging trend of men shopping.
Why Package-Goods Companies Should Market to Men
If Wii, Spike Can Appeal to Consumers Once Thought Unattainable, CPG Can Too
by Abigail Posner
Published: February 09, 2009
Abigail Posner
A great societal shift is under way, and no one is taking advantage of it. Numerous trend reports, even the 2008 census, show conclusively that men are more and more involved in taking care of their children and homes. So you'd think package-goods marketers would jump at the chance to include them in their marketing mixes. But you'd be wrong.
"Men don't shop as much as women." "They don't enjoy shopping." "They're not interested in consumer-package-goods messages," many marketers say. Those are all valid points. It's understandable that with shrinking marketing budgets and a potentially deep recession, companies would tailor their innovation, communications and media strategies to the lowest-hanging fruit, women. But this female-only approach, logical as it may seem, causes us to miss a huge opportunity.
Changing consumer behavior
True, men are still not the primary shoppers or shopping influencers of household goods. But that doesn't mean we can't alter their current consumer behaviors. Of course men are going to ignore products and messages that address women's concerns, attitudes and sensibilities. But if we developed products that suited men's needs, created communications that spoke to men's problems or desires, and designed the store experience to be more engaging to men, then they would have more interest in products that serve their families and homes and, thus, more desire to buy them.
Take Wii. At a time when video-game equipment was squarely targeted at gamers and teens, Nintendo bucked the trend and went after families. The result: Wii sold more units in the first half of 2007 in the U.S. than Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 combined.
Another example: Spike (also known as Spike TV), the first TV network for men that went beyond just sports. At the outset, Spike President Kevin Kay told me, "We faced a lot of resistance. They would say, 'Men are always going to watch sports, but how are you going to create [other] programming for men?' Or, 'Men don't buy; only women buy.'" Spike thought otherwise. And it was right. Not only has the network grown its base of men 39%, but it appeals to a broad array of advertisers and is better recognized as a network for men by young males than ESPN.
New product ideas
Tough economic times demand innovation to motivate people to buy. And bringing men into the marketing equation doesn't just give you a larger group of consumers; it means a new set of benefits, a new story to tell and even new product ideas.
When Spike decided to target men, new programming, such as "Manswers" (a guy trivia show), the "Scream Awards" and the sports reality show "The Ultimate Fighter," followed. So, too, Wii has continually developed video games that defy the typical kill-or-be killed options. Thanks to its broader target, Wii offers video games that range from "Dance Dance Revolution" to "Wii Sports," the most successful video game of all time.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Abigail Posner is senior VP-strategy director at Publicis, New York. Prior to joining the agency, she spent 11 years at DDB, New York.
We all know that as members of the media and marketing community we don't just reflect culture; we actually change it -- sometimes very quickly and tangibly. In the late 1970s, scientists found a link between a high-fiber diet and a reduced risk of cancer. Few people, however, changed what they ate. But when cereal companies a decade later advertised a relationship between high-fiber foods and protection against cancer, people woke up and actually began changing their diets.
Men as caretakers and shoppers
Given this power of communications, there's no reason we can't appeal to an otherwise unattainable consumer group and maybe, just maybe, affect that group not just as consumers but as people. Marketing to men and portraying them as caretakers of and shoppers for the family can attract additional consumers to a brand while encouraging men to become greater participants in the maintenance of their families and homes. And the more men are accepted and accept themselves in that role, the more they'll be interested in brands that solve the needs or enhance the enjoyment of home and family care. And, of course, the more they'll shop for those products.
Basing strategies for tomorrow on current marketing data, sensible as it may seem, is shortsighted, even dangerous. If the American automobile industry teaches us anything, it's that stubbornly clinging to practices that have worked in the past but don't address a changing environment can have disastrous financial -- even societal -- consequences.
Reaching out to a seemingly less lucrative, smaller target market such as men isn't quixotic but rather a strategy to attract more consumers, encourage greater innovation, and even affect the roles men and women shape for themselves, now and in the future. Instead of emulating those Detroit execs who ignored or resisted change, why don't we embrace, guide and, ultimately, benefit from it?
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Lakers vs Cavaliers
I am not a Kobe hater, but I do not feel he is the heir apparent to MJ. Kobe has always struck me as a selfish player that did not appreciate his teammates. Lebron is a stark contrast however. He is more Magic than MJ, but eventually he may be in his own category given his well rounded game. As much potential as he has, he is also frustrating. He seems to lack a killer instinct. Something that even a staunch Kobe hater would have to admit that Kobe possesses in abundance.
Today's game was a true showdown. Neither Lebron nor Kobe performed up to expectations, but on this day, Kobe's supporting cast seemed to mirror his intensity and Lebron's seemed to shrink on the largest of stages with all the world watching. Terrible performance and showing for first home loss of season. We have a lot of season yet, but the boys in Cleveland need to step their games up if they hope to get past the Celtics and defeat either the Spurs or Lakers for the franchises first NBA title. It will all start and end with Lebron, and he must play better than he did today.
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Sunday, February 1, 2009
6 Time World Champion Steelers
What an incredible game! Here we go Steelers here we go. Clap. Clap. Tampa was a great host city and we will remember this game forever. We made history!!!!
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Thursday, January 29, 2009
Yes we DID!!!
Wanted to put up a few pics of me and the fam in DC participating in HISTORY. I feel so blessed not only to be alive during this tim, but to also have been able to have my kids and wife with me Inauguration Day.
I am hoping President Barack Obama continues to break through barriers, motivate, inspire, and achieve new heights. I know I will continue to support the movement, and ensure "WE" continue to deliver. Yes we can! Yes we Did. Yes we will keep achieving!!!