Happy Cyber-Monday all! Be sure to get your shopping done ahead of time. There are definitely deals to be found out there! Here are a few Tech News tidbits that I came across:
- The New TweetDeck Goes List Crazy And Adds Maps To GeoTweets
“Streamreaders just keep getting better and better. A new version of TweetDeck is rolling out today with some major improvements, including support for Lists, Retweets, maps for geo-tagged messages, and LinkedIn streams. TweetDeck has already been downloaded more than 10 million times, and its active user base is in the low millions so this is a significant update.” (Source: TechCrunch)
HTD: For me it has always been a toss up between Seesmic Desktop & TweetDeck, but as of late, I have favored Tweetdeck simply because it is extremely well designed and has a variety of services that it works with. Now with lists, new/old RT methods, LinkedIn integration (as well as multiple Twitter accts and Facebook – I don’t use MySpace), Lists and geotagging, TweetDeck has really risen to the surface as the best AIR-based Twitter (and other Social Networking) clients out there in my opinion.
- The CrunchPad disappears in a puff of vapor
“Michael Arrington’s CrunchPad has never had a particularly firm basis in reality, and although we’d been promised that the inexpensive browser-based tablet would be launching soon, the sky’s come crashing down: Mike says Fusion Garage, the company he hired to build the CrunchPad, has reneged on their deal, and that he’s about to file ‘multiple lawsuits.'” (Source: Engadget)
HTD: I think that 2010 will be the year of the tablet. Apple will come out with something pretty nice and eBook readers will be released that have much broader functionality. When Google announced the Android OS, it made me scratch my head a bit as it is a year away AND all of the apps (and the OS for that matter) are web-based (or Google Gears enabled). I am not sure that average consumers are really ready for this yet (maybe at the end of 2010 they will be). The CrunchPad was a great idea but I thought it would be pretty hard to get off the ground for everyday consumers – perhaps those techno-gadgety types would like but is that enough for a full business for a tech media firm? I’m not sure.
- Next-gen iPhone in field testing, may have revamped Maps
“Once again, usage logs from PinchMedia have revealed that a new iPhone model is already in early testing in the San Francisco Bay Area. What to expect from a new iPhone is a matter of some speculation, though a new job listing from Apple suggest a revamp for the Maps application is in the works.” (Source: ArsTechnica)
HTD: Apple revamps the iPhone once a year it seems. I’m guessing that there will be some new processor updates, more storage, better video and a new OS (with spiffed up apps). HD Radio? FM Radio? HD video? What would you think?
- Amazon Boasts Record Kindle Sales
“Amazon (NSDQ: AMZN) on Monday said November has been the best sales month ever for the Kindle, but the online retailer did not release figures to support the claim.” (Source: InformationWeek)
HTD: I’m not surprised by the large Kindle sales. It’s the most established eBook reader out there that has the BEST online store for eBooks. It’s already been proven that the company who has the best eCommerce solution wins (e.g., iTunes App store). There will be plenty of runners up but only when the buying experience is truly easy and seamless will a store succeed. I’m not sure how long Amazon will reign supreme though, especially if the iTunes store suddenly starts selling books (which is logical after Music, Video & Apps).
HTD says: Now stop reading this and go help our economy by buying some things during Cyber-Monday!
