Social: Bubble Ball - Fun, Funny, And I Hope It Catches On

Source:  Live Science.

Tell me this doesn't look fun.

Social: Here's A Good Tip About Financial Decisions (Or Any Other Life Ones) - Do It Early In the Day

Here's an excellent tip from Life Hacker.  Make financial decisions early in the day, this way, you're fresh and likely to make more sound decisions.  In fact, I think it goes beyond financial decisions.  Any life decisions.

Okay, I get in the kind of lives we have, many decisions about life happens to be about personal finance as well.  Fine.  But think about it.  When you wake up, you feel fresh and energized.  Ready to hit the ground running.  And that is when you're likely pretty clear (unless you've got a hangover or something).

I've often felt this way at times.  By the time you get home from a long day at work, you don't much feel like you want to do anything much less decide on something, important or otherwise.  You don't want to think.  You want to get a cold one and just relax a bit.  Then it's dinner.  Then it's a little television or surfing the web or read.  Then it's bed time.

You're exhausted mentally, even physically.

When else can you make decisions?

I'm an early morning person so the advice above definite makes a lot of sense for me.  And this also extends to chores as well.  Best time to do it is in the morning.  Wake up half an hour to an hour earlier a couple of times a week to get things done.

Social: A Place For Google Glass And Other Such Devices

The backlash against Google Glass is to be expected.  And that's a good thing.  Over time, however, it should go away when proper public rules and etiquette is established and social privacy once again shifts.  There is a place for devices like Glass.

In fact, I'm waiting to see where this experimentation will take wearable devices.  So far, I've not seen anyone with Glass but that is likely because of the limited base that Google has kept under tight control.  Plus, the cost of the device is prohibitive for your average mobile user.  

And even if it was affordable, $200-$300 range, there are again the social backlash.  

But I see myself using Glass that I hope will have some neat applications.  For instance, during runs or hikes in the mountains, I would love to have information displayed so that I can see what kind of progress (or lack of) that I'm making.

I'm sure folks taking their morning walks are less likely to be concerned about me wearing Glass during my run or hike than if I were to wear that into a restaurant or restroom.  For the record, Glass has no place in a public restroom.  This should be rule number one.  

Of course, gyms too.  I have to make one comment about this.  Practically everyone in my gym has traded in their iPods for an iPhone or Android device.  but I have never seen anyone taking pictures in there.  As far as I know, I'm the only who has taken a selfie or two or to help me remember what settings my machines are.  Most of the time, my phone is in my pocket or laying on the pockets of a treadmill next to my water bottle.  

I can think of a few other places that Glass or similar wearable device might have a place.  But athletics seem like the most logical place for it.  What do you think?

What's Next For FaceTime?

It's great that we now have FaceTime Audio.  It is a feature that should have easily come along with the video chat feature but I figure it's likely that Apple did not include it in the beginning to avoid roughing too much weathers with the carriers.  Now that we have it, great.  What's next for FaceTime?

It's important to remember that we humans are social creatures.  Most of us are anyway.  Most of us not only want social interaction but need it.  FaceTime has allowed many people to stay in touch over the years from vast distances - fostering and retaining relationships.  And let's not forget how many parents and grandparents are able to keep in touch with their families because of it. 

Now I ask this:  what is next for FaceTime?  What will Apple do to take FaceTime to the next level to make it a more robust mean of communication?

I like to be able to see a conference feature - allowing more than just the one-to-one chat available now and expand on that into a group chat.  It would be great if we can do this with both video and audio.  On top of that, I like to be able to record chats - both audio and video as well. 

Personally, I think those features are forthcoming.  We already know that this is possible on the Macs because other chat services like Skype and Google Hangouts are already possible.  And with the new 64-bit chips the iPhone 5S, iPad Air, and iPad mini with Retina Display all have powering iOS, maybe that's what Apple will finally let loose what FaceTime is meant to do. 

On top of this, FaceTime conferencing would be a powerful feature that businesses can use to stay in touch with its own people as well as clients.  This could be one singular feature that Apple can offer that none of its competitors can hope to match. 

Social: Twitter Briefly Blocked Pro-Duck Dynasty Fan Site

Source:  Fox News.

IStandWithPhil.com, a pro-Duck Dynasty website, had its tweets blocked by Twitter. Bias? Well, if we are to trust Twitter, and there is no reason not to, it mistakenly thought the site was a spam site. Personally, without knowing what it's about, I will not, and probably would not even if I did know what that site is about, visit the site.

I get enough cookies and trackers visiting me from more mainstream sites already.  I doubt there was any intentional attempt by Twitter to block pro-Duck tweets in this instance or another.  It's not really news except it is interesting to consider if any social sites would ever take sides in this current debate regarding what the elder Duck guy said in an interview regarding homosexuality.

Regardless of which side you take on the issue, I only suggest this as I've mentioned elsewhere on social networks and in conversations.  Would it not be better if you now know how Phil, leader of the Robertson clan, feels about social issues than not?

How he feels about the gay community and his opinion that black people never sang the blues?

A couple of days ago, I was flipping through the channels at a friend's house and came across A&E, the network that broadcasts DD.  I sat through a segment of it.  I don't care for reality shows.  I don't get why anyone cares how a family lives, how a group of spouses secretly plot against one another, or who is backstabbing how.

And after that segment, my opinion remains unchanged.  We know that there are people with extreme views on both ends of the social or political spectrum.  We don't need someone on television who really have no relevance in our lives to affirm that.

New Mobile Device On Christmas? What You Need To Do

Source:  CNET.

Got a new smartphone or tablet?  Well, let me be the first to welcome you to the mobile rank.  You're about to be more connected, productive, and in a few days or weeks, you'll forget your old life or wonder how you managed with your new trusty sidekick.

CNET has a post that suggests six things a brand new mobile warrior should do with his or her smartphone or tablet.  Personally, I think the first thing you should do is a happy dance.  Then after that, take a deep breath.

If it's an upgrade, you already know what it is like being a member of the mobile society.  If you're a brand new mobile warrior on the 25th (or later if UPS or FEDEX happened to still have your Christmas present), you've stepped into the future.  Future because of how fast the mobile market is moving and you better be ready.

Even before you follow CNET's suggestions, I think you should do the following:

1. Gather all your e-mail and social credentials.  This could save you some time. You don't want to be in the middle of setting up your e-mail or chat account and have to stop to go find your passwords.
2. Consider carefully what new services you'll need versus what you'll end up signing up for in all the excitement.  Some devices have their own crapware that you don't need to worry about and can likely ignore.
3. Check the Web for information if you need.  Or go to the manufacturer site if you're not sure.  And if you think you did something you should not have, don't worry.  You can probably go back and undo it at some point. 
4. You'll probably want to go to the app store and load up on apps.  Here, I'm gonna recommend you take another deep breath.  It's fun to download apps like games for the first time but you want to be sure it's safe - regardless of whether it's Google's more open Play Store or Apple's iOS app store.  Do some research first.

I'm not sure I care for CNET's suggestion to download app launchers or new wallpaper apps.  I almost never do that because I am just afraid they're black holes for user information.  What I do agree that you see if there are any update from the manufacturer.  Sometimes, an upgrade could mean new features or security updates.

So again, welcome to the mobile rank.  You've stepped into the future.  Have fun.  Be safe.  And enjoy your new mobile life.

Sex Toys - Mobile and Social Coming to Android Devices (They Mentioned Apple But I Doubt It)

Source:  Android Guys, indiegogo.

I'm surprised we haven't seen more of this or mobile and/or social sites haven't given this more attention.  Sex toys that the mobile and social environment we now live in should allow two people vast distances away to "connect".



Lovense, as they've stated in the Youtube video, provides sensation from one partner to another using your good old sex toys.  Honestly, I've never seen one or held one in person so I've got no idea how it already works and how much better it will be now that there will be feedback and "sensational" input from a remote sex partner.

The idea is simple.  Feedback from one partner's device will be felt on the sex toy belonging to the second partner (or maybe even partners?).

Oh, and if you're just alone or your partner needs to charge his or her device or mobile device, well, there is still a way for you to entertain yourself.  In fact, it could move to any music you have in your library.

It's not a product you can buy yet.  The Lovense developers need your help!  With 18 days left, they're only little more than 1/3 of the way there to the $50,000 they need to fund the project on indiegogo.

What's also of interest to possible backers is that the Lovense engineers are working to optimize algorithms to provide the best experience possible.  Perhaps, who knows, there could be future firmware updates as well?

Based on the types of fundings, most backers are interested in rewards for both the male and female toys.

The backers claim that it'll work with iOS devices.  Okay, Android I get but I have my doubts whether Apple will approve Lovense apps for the app store.

Note:  So far, all the comments appear to be very generic.  Like, you know, those written by those from the company.