Instant Video from your Phone to the 'Net

Over the past few days, I’ve recruited a few millennials to the “dark side” (aka to join Twitter) after explaining what the “point” of it really is.

I’m a little proud of this accomplishment, but it led me to write about the “next thing” that will become mainstream… now that random banks in Nebraska, a cat, and even a talking book have appeared on Twitter… I’d say it’s time to delve into something new.

Most of us have access to a video camera and microphone (especially if you have a mac… and many netbooks now have cameras embedded in them too)… so you might be thinking Skype (obvi).. but what about a video chat conference that integrates chat in a web interface, while also maintaining anonymity? Answer: TinyChat. (ps I fell in love with this web app during a mashable live chat during the facebook username golive).

IMO, tinychat could have some awesome uses – BUT moderation will be key, as even the mashable chat had a few spammers.

If chats aren’t your thing (and you don’t have a flipcam, but you do have one of these camera phones), you can set up a (free) livestream from your phone to the ‘net with Qik. Mrs.Kutcher is a fan… and so is carnival cruise lines? You can also integrate Qik with your twitter and facebook accounts.

For a more intense session of live streaming, you can use LiveStream (which also integrates with Qik believe it or not), which allows you, the camera holder, to both a virtual television studio and embeddable video player, offering users the opportunity to produce and broadcast Web video in the manner of a television network. Users can stream live video or broadcast pre-recorded video in their channels, utilizing multiple cameras and on-screen graphics. (via wikipedia)

There seem to be a variety of options for on-demand live video broadcasting, and I’ve only highlighted a few here…

There’s nothing worse than being on hold.

Maybe you’re on your blackberry (stranded without a headset) so you’re holding the thing to your hear for an hour, listening to some terrible music on repeat <— I’m THAT girl.

Maybe you’re at home on an old-school phone with a cord and can’t move from your current position (how did anyone ever do anything!?)

Or maybe you’re at work, trying to take care of some business while on your lunch break, and you’re still on hold and 1:00 is approaching rapidly.

Regardless of whatever situation you find yourself in, telephone “menus” are a true non-value added experience. Sometimes you hit the wrong button or find yourself in the wrong place.

Usually, if you want to get connected to a “human,” you hit 0… but this is not always the case, so I’ve used GetHuman for those key commands that will route you to a real life person (shocking I know, how did you ever live without it!!) For example, if you’re calling GE Money bank (shoutout) .. according to Get Human you would, “Press 1, then don’t press or say anything.”

Another example is PhoneTreeShortcuts.com, where you can find out the shortcuts for various phone menus. But something’s missing with these options…

When I first heard about fonolo, I misspelled it about three different times in Google, but I’m glad that I did. The site transcribes phone menus from many large companies, so you can scan them quickly.

Fonolo uses visual navigation to allow for the most user-friendly experience. You choose where you need to go, and fonolo will automatically dial the number, navigate their menu and then CALL YOUR PHONE. When you answer, you will be connected to your final destination. not bad.

According to Cnet, fonolo is planning to let you record these calls (potentially for sending to the Better Business Bureau or other such organizations), although the feature is currently disabled.

An added bonus– say you’ve been in a major argument with your credit card company (a good example in this economy) for secretly raising the interest rate on your card. This app lets you take notes and organize what happened when, and on what call. So, when that mean lady on the other line asks you for information (and secretly doesn’t think you know it). You’ll be there. ready.

Go show ‘em who’s boss, guys (and girls).

I’ve been working on compiling my goals for 2009. Not just long-term goals, but also the shorter-term options. Since I’ll be moving to Albany at the end of February (woo upstate new york here I come!), it is necessary for me to make it to a concert (hopefully rap, it is atlanta).

Thankfully, I have found my personal solution with LiveKick- a fun application that helps to discover local live concerts based on the artists you like (and can upload from your iTunes library!), and to find the best and cheapest available tickets online.

Livekick Desktop Widget

You import your iTunes artists, PC music libraries, favorite artists from web music services such as MySpace Music, Last.fm, Pandora, iLike or Rhapsody, or manually enter your favorite artists. Based on these artists and where you live or travel to, Livekick gives you live concert recommendations via the web or email.

Livekick picks up where other web apps leave you hanging. Think ticketmaster or stubhub… you have to search multiple sites to find something good (and you may or may not find a good deal!)

Livekick works by– importing your favorite artists, widgets (mac/pc), Concert recommendations delivery to iPhone, iCal, Outlook, OS X dashboard, iGoogle or any RSS reader, venue information and tour listings and specifics.

So, save some money and get out there and enjoy some music in 2009!!!

Last saturday I traveled to South Bend, Indiana to experience what my friends have denoted as the ultimate tailgate: Notre Dame.

While visiting the campus and exploring and participating in pre-game festivities, I came to the realization that they may be on to something- the high-tech configurations of vehicles (and even garages!) led me to do additional research on the subject.

For example, I came across a “Port-a-Party” – not POTTY but PARTY! Yes. it’s real. The website says its “how good times roll” since it’s a completely portable sports bar and hospitality unit. Currently available in Florida and Georgia, you can also call for franchise opportunities.

However, since renting a port-a-party unit is not a possibility for everyone, there are many other options.

First off, if you can’t mod your personal vehicle, you can always buy a trailer. The Tailgating Innovations Multimedia Trailer includes a Sony Bravia home theater system with 5.1 surround sound and a 47-inch Visio LCD flat panel television.  It’s also pre-wired for satellite and includes a grill. At about $12,500 for the standard edition, you can always ask for a completely customized option if that’s what your into.

Last fall, at&t “tailgated” (haha) on the college football season to promote the company through their “technology tour.” The tour consisted of visiting selected games with a 53-foot truck that offers, featuring free wireless ringtone downloads, wireless and Homezone demonstrations, plasma flat screen TVs, High-Speed Internet connections, gaming stations, and free e-shot photo areas. Can I get one?

Consider yourself an ultimate tailgater? Compare yourself (or get a few ideas) from the “ultimate tailgater” blog available on myoutdoortv.com. Another blog, TailgatingIdeas.com even wrote a post on the economy has not “touched” tailgating.

But the best is that I stumbled upon results from a tailgating survey (seriously). Full results are available here via Tailgating Times.

• 34.4% of tailgaters chose Steak as their favorite tailgating food
• 27.7% prefer Burgers
• 12.8% prefer Bratwurst
• 11.9% prefer Chicken
• 11.9% prefer Ribs

phew. I was concerned.

Some say all you have is your reputation.

But what about online? Identities are somewhat disposable, similar to free e-mail accounts or a pair of socks. If you don’t like it, it’s not hard to change. Proving you are who you really are is kindof an issue at the moment, well, online at least.

So, if you’re looking for a way to manage who you are in a cloudy renegade internet, ensure that you have an OpenID. Sure, it’s not perfect- yet- but it looks promising.

OpenID is a completely open, decentralized way to manage a digital identity- basically it eliminates the need for multiple logins/passwords across websites. Woo! Fewer usernames and passwords to remember!!

An OpenID is in the form of a URL. This URL can be the domain name of your own website, or the URL of an OpenID Identity Provider. When you log in with an OpenID, you have to log in to the Identity Provider for validation.

For example, you can register with ClaimID. All you have to do is provide a username and there you go-instant identity, all yours. Then you are given a URL and can create a page that links to what is “yours” – blogs, articles you have written, projects, research, publications, anything you want. Here’s an example.

So, when someone searches your name- let them find your ClaimID page first- that way all the sites and online content is right there- no searching through pages upon pages of Google Results.

The site also provides tips on how to manage your digital identity– some good stuff on how to find information published on the ‘net about yourself.

What I really love about ClaimID is not just that it was started by two Ph.D students in my field of study at UNC-Chapel Hill, but that it’s smart and simple. Oh, and free with a good cause.

You know a technology concept is promising when it’s foundation has corporate members from IBM, Google, Microsoft, VeriSign & Yahoo!