Google Wave: A Wave of Mixed Reactions

Here's a list of links I've put together as reference to those who want to know more about Google Wave and how the websphere is reacting. 

I'm not shocked at the mixed reviews, as everyone is entitled to his own opinion. But I'm apalled at the wait-and-see attitude of a lot of people. This is not Microsoft or Apple saying, "Hey, I have a new product that I will sell to the world!" But rather, it's Google saying, "Hey, I have a great idea that will change the world, AND I WANT YOU TO HELP ME MAKE IT HAPPEN."

I still have doubts that Google's intentions are purely altruistic, but I believe this is the future and it's about to begin.

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Links from Google

• Google Wave preview
• Google Blog: Went Walkabout. Brought back Google Wave.
• Google Wave API

Explanations & Reactions

• AdAge Digital: Google Tries to Rewrite E-mail; It Won't Happen Soon
• ComputerWorld: Google Wave: The fix for social network over-sharing?
• ComputerWorld: Is Google Wave the spork of the Internet?
• TechCrunch: Google Wave Drips With Ambition. A New Communication Platform For A New Web.
• PC Mag: Google Wave: Five Things You Must Know
• Gizmodo: Google Wave Is a Frothy Collaborative Mix of Chat, IM, Twitter and Google Docs in Real-Time
• Mashable: Could Google Wave Redefine Email and Web Communication?
• Engadget: Google Wave unveiled, new live chat medium for browsers, iPhone and Android
• Inside Facebook: What Google Wave Means for Facebook
• ReadWriteWeb: Google Wave: Google Tries to Reinvent Email
• Financial Times: Google Wave: a secret weapon for enterprise?
• CMSWatch: Google Wave: Tsunami or Wipe Out?

Google Wave: The Next Big Thing

I couldn't sleep. Since I heard about it yesterday, I just couldn't get it off my mind.

Google revealed yesterday what I predict will be the next big thing that will change how the world communicates since the invention of e-mail. It's called Google Wave. 

Lars Rasumussen, one of the guys who developed Google Maps, talked about how the idea came about in the Google Wave Developer Preview at Google I/O 2009. This was Google's answer to a fundamental question they posed: What would email look like if it were invented today?

Mashable offers to explain what Google Wave is in a nutshell: Google Wave is a real-time communication platform. It combines aspects of email, instant messaging, wikis, web chat, social networking, and project management to build one elegant, in-browser communication client. You can bring a group of friends or business partners together to discuss how your day has been or share files.

In a few years, here's what I predict what will happen: No more e-mails. No more instant messenger. No more keeping of different versions of files in your computer folders. Much less face-to-face meetings. People working on documents or files together online real-time, even if they were miles apart or they were just beside you. Social network and blog discussions will look like everyone typing at the same time on the same computer screen. No more reply button to send a message, just type. Lots and lots of online collaboration happening real-time. It's mind blowing.

And it's here. It's not a concept. Google has a work-in-progress already running. But we need to wait until towards the end of this year to experience it. Not too far off.

Below is a screenshot of the Google Wave interface. Mind you, it runs on the browsers that we use today -- both on computers and mobile phones:

Can't wait to see it in action? Here's the demo from the developers conference: (It might take long to load. Everyone's on it.)

I'll write more about it in the next few days. Still trying to calm myself from too much excitement.

Multiply 4.0 features detailed (with demo videos)

This is a repost from the Multiply blog. It details the new features found in the current beta, complete with demo videos:

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Here's a bit of what you can expect to find in Multiply 4.0:

Redesigned Inbox  Multiply's Inbox has always been the best place to find out what the people you know are up to, but with this release, it's become even better. Here's a bit of what's inside:

PMs made clear  Personal Messages, by their very nature, are one of the most important types of posts that appear in your Inbox. That's why we've given them their own section: so you can quickly see when you have new ones.

Add/remove content type filters  In addition to Personal Messages, you have the option of adding filters for other content types. For instance, if you're a fan of Photos, add a dedicated Photos filter and never miss another album.

Favorite 'Friends & Family'  All the latest posts from a very important individual is just a click away. Which of your contacts are the most important is up to you; "Favorite" a contact to shortlist them, or "View All" to do just that.

Groups are great  Works just like Friends & Family, but for groups. Pick your favorites and never miss a post.

Flagging important posts  If you come across a outstanding Photo Album, thoughtful Blog entry or great Link, make sure to flag it, and come back whenever you want using...

Custom Filters  See all of your Flagged or Subscribed posts, things you've posted or replied to... or whatever combination of factors interests you. Save a Custom Filter and it becomes part of the left rail area.

Easy 'Include' Filtering  Greatly expand your social circle by enabling 'friends of friends' or 'group' posts... with a single click apiece.

Quick Notes  Notes are back, and sharing your thoughts via one is easier than ever. Click Post, start typing, press Enter... and you're done.

Improved Media Locker  We didn't forget to make the Media Locker better, too. Read on for ways we've done so.

Now in the top nav  We've given the Media Locker its own tab at the top of the page, so wherever you are on Multiply, you're just a quick click from the best media management tools on the Web.

Edit and retouch photos  Perfect for making good photos stored on Multiply great photos. Crop, rotate, remove red-eye and more from anything stored in your Media Locker, or shared on your Multiply site!

Latest shared photos and videos; projects  Right at the forefront of the Media Locker you'll find all of your most recent stuff, including albums you've shared and projects you've recently started. Also included are helpful shop links pointing to our new photo product guides, as well as limited-time offers.

Select-by-dragging  If you're getting ready to work with a large number of photos, you can still click thumbnails one at a time to pick individual ones, or 'click-drag' to select a blog of thumbnails in a rectangular area.

Act-by-dragging, too  Once you have these selected, instead of clicking a toolbar button ("Album," "Email," etc.), why not try dragging and dropping. Same great effect, cool new motion.

Photo/video flagging  The same way you can 'Flag' interesting posts on your Inbox, you can do the same with individual photos and videos that you'd like to come back to, within your Media Locker.

Easy edits of recent things  Photo albums and print projects, alike, can be quickly edited with a single click to their title, as it appears in the left rail under "Albums" or "Projects."

Slide-to-resize thumbnails  In the upper-right corner of the Media Locker, you'll find a "Thumbnail Size" slider. This will, yes, change the size of the thumbnail images that appear... larger with better detail, and smaller with more efficient use of space.

Send photos via e-mail  Want to quickly share your photos outside of Multiply? Select your best and send them to anyone via e-mail using the handy "Email" button.

Other things  While a good deal of Multiply's functionality now lives under either the Media Locker or Inbox, there are new things that don't quite belong to either category. We haven't forgotten about these miscellaneous marvels!

New look  It is everything a look should be: refined and great! You'll find it pretty much everywhere.

Simplified 'top nav'  We reduced the number of links and buttons that appear along the top of all pages on Multiply, in order to focus on the ones that are most important. 

Comprehensive "Multiply" menu  Clicking the Multiply logo now does something new. Give it a try!

Complete Shop overhaul  We've given our Shop section a complete overhaul. It features the same great products, with a sleek new look. It also works better than ever, and includes helpful gift guides that make giving great gifts a snap for any occasion.

Contact suggestion  Now, when you connect with someone on Multiply, we'll give you the opportunity to help connect your new contact with some of your existing ones. All it takes is a click to suggest that your friend Bob, who already knows your friend Mary, become Multiply contacts as well.

Picasa plugin  If you use Picasa to organize photos on your Windows, Mac or Linux computer, posting photos to Multiply just got a lot easier. Install Multiply's Picasa pluginand share photos on your Multiply site from Picasa.

People You May Know  Based on the contacts you have, Multiply will recommend other individuals you're most likely to know, and would want to connect with.

Global search box  Three useful searches: people, content and groups, are available from one small box, located at the top of any page.

More Multiply Changes to Come

From the Multiply Blog, below is a quick rundown of what more will be new in Multiply 4.0. These things I still haven't seen in my new Multiply interface:

Setup area - Now you have one area to visit if you ever need to make changes to your account settings, including your profile information, e-mail alerts, password changes, etc. Plus, when a new user accepts your invitation to join the site, they are sent directly through Setup to help them get started with Multiply and understand how to use the site. Click Setup at the top of any page to check it out.

Welcome page - We renamed the "Multiply" page to "Welcome." Now the page tells you even more about what's new on the site since your last visit.

Home Pages page - Now there's an easier way to get to other people's home pages, including all of your contacts and groups. Click on Home Pages at the top of any page.

Add multiple contacts at once - The Add Contact button on the Network page now has a dropdown feature so you can add one new contact or many at once. Now you can copy and paste an existing mailing list to spread the word to more people.

Move your Friendster network here - A few people told us they spent time building a big network on Friendster and would love to be able to import their network to Multiply. Now it's easy. Just use the Add Contact button on the Network page.

Easier way to sort the Messages page - Just click one of the content icons in the left margin when you want the Messages page to display only photo albums or any other specific content type. Your selections are always clearly highlighted in the left margin.

Help your new contacts find people they know - When someone accepts your invitation to join Multiply, the best thing to do is show them who else they know on the site. Now it's easy with the Help Connect feature on the Network page. Just select your newest contact, and choose the people who should be notified that this person is now on Multiply.

The home page is more customizable - They've added a title that always appears at the top of your home page. The default title is your name and the web address (URL) for your page. Look for the Change Page Titles link in the right margin of your home page to customize the title of your overall site, and all your individual pages.

Multiply Gets a Make-over: It's about time

A warm welcome to the new look of Multiply! It's about time. When everybody's a gaga with Facebook and Twitter, you'd suspect that Multiply had to step up to the plate else face eventual oblivion. Even Friendster is continually trying to update itself to the times. But are the changes really for the better?

My first hunch that something new was happening with Multiply was when I couldn't update my profile photo on my Multiply site, as if my site's settings had frozen. Then Nico told me that they were releasing the new Multiply make-over yesterday. Then last night, it happened.

First impression: Multiply has done wonders making it's Inbox -- the first page you always visit when you open Multiply -- more relevant with functionality. Here's what it looks like now:

Most noticeable are the quick access tabs on top to your Inbox, Media Locker and personal site; and the left sidebar which reminds you of Facebook's filters and works much the same way. 

With this "homepage", you don't have to reload as much to navigate within the site. A quick click on Groups displays your groups list in the view pane without leaving this page:

There seems to be a lot more control over what you see in your inbox: from the customization of filters, to tickbox toggles to either view or hide 'friends of friends' activity, and 'favorite' tickboxes among your friends and groups.

The Media Locker benefits a lot also from this make-over. My initial impression was that these changes gave more meaning to the Media Locker. It looks so simple now to view and work on your content. The Media Locker view also has similar filters on the left pane to find what you want:

But for me, the most telling change is the Quick Note function which seems to be a response to Twitter and Facebook's "What's on your Mind?" status function:

I've always regarded Multiply more as a blog tool with social networking strengths. I thought it was good at what it can do and will continue to carve this niche in the online world. But, this just show that Multiply seems to be serious about going head-to-head with Facebook. Does it succeed in reinforcing itself as a social network? Too early to tell, for me at least.

As I leave you with the note that flashes onscreen the first time you log onto the new Multiply, I'd like to hear from you your first impressions of it. Comment away. :)

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Dear Members, 

By this point, you've certainly noticed that things are looking a little different around Multiply. But there's more to what's new here than a fresh coat of paint. As you begin doing the things you normally do around Multiply, you'll discover what makes this the best Multiply release, ever. If you're curious about precisely what's new, take a moment to learn more about the new Multiply Inbox, or read about improvements to the Media Locker.

None of the improvements you see around you would be possible without the Multiply team; I could not be more proud of the effort that's been put into this release. And on behalf of all of us, I'd like to thank you for using Multiply.

We made all of this for you, and we're as proud to present to you Multiply's new look, feel and features today, as we've been to help you share your lives with the people closest to you for over five years now. 


Enjoy everything,

Peter Pezaris
Founder & CEO

HP Power to Change: Turn off your computers when you leave the office

Hewlett-Packard launches a new global campaign called Power to Change which encourages everyone to do one simple thing everyday: turn off your computer after your work day. I'm guilty of this. But they offer alarming statistics: aroun 65% of computer users do not turn off their computers after they leave work. And turning off only 100,000 more computers everyday is equivalent to the CO2 emissions saved by taking 10 cars off the road everyday. 

Here's the YouTube video of the campaign:

Leo Burnett / Arc Singapore writes about the campaign:

Please help us to make a difference!
We are aiming to have over 1 million visitors from around the world - and we really need your help to do 4 simple things:

1. Visit the website www.hp.com/powertochange

2. Download the widget. This will monitor how often you are turning off your computer, as well as the environmental impact of your (and everyone else's) actions.

3. Invite others to join your efforts. Spread the word!

4. And, most of all, turn off your computer at the end of every day.

About the campaign

The campaign launches this week across Asia. It launches in EMEA and North & South America in the first week of June with paid media support, on and off-line.  The campaign spans 5 languages (English, Simplified Chinese, and will shortly be translated into Japanese, Spanish and Portuguese). It includes the following elements: blogger outreach, viral video development and seeding, social media (across 8 platforms), display media, search, press kit, press, posters, stickers and an internal launch program to HP's employees around the world.

Makes you think right? Shall we join forces and start turning off our computers everyday? I'd like to hear about your thoughts.

5 New viral videos make it to the Top 10 charts (by Visible Measures))

Visible Measures releases a new Top 10 YouTube viral video list. The following list of 5 are new to the Top 10 and are worth noting:

1. Nike Basketball: Most Valuable Puppets campaign by Wielden & Kennedy at #2 with 810K views for current week.  
2. Frito-Lay: Woman's World campaign by OMD/Mindshare/Juniper Group/Jam Media at #2 with 714K views for current week.  
3. T-mobile: new Singalong in Trafalgar Square campaign by Saatchi & Saatchi / MediaCom at #5 with 387K views for current week. 
4. Coca-cola: Open Happiness campaign by Mother, London at #7 with 302K views for current week.  
5. Bontrust: Make Your Money Multiply With Us campaign by Grabarz & Partner at #8 with 288K views for current week.  

Samsung's YouTube HD Camera Trick Challenge (revealed) by The Viral Factory is back on the charts at #6 with 371K views for current week.  

Still topping the charts at #1 is Vodafone's Make the Most of Now campaign.  

T-mobile's T-mobile Dance, Cadbury's Eyebrow Dance, and Samsung's Extreme Sheep LED Art drop to #4, #9 and #10, respectively, but still make it on the Top 10 charts.

Original AdAge article here.

Google Search Used To Predict American Idol's Winner... NOT! (spoiler alert)

This morning, I got shared a link from Mashable about how Google search results tracking can be used to predict this year's winner of American Idol. Since the live show was just a few hours away, I decided to publish this post right after I had confirmed whether the predictions would come true. 

If you still haven't heard and don't want a spoiler, stop reading. But if you're still reading this, then you probably already know that Kris Allen is this year's American Idol. I liked both Adam and Kris Allen, and didn't really care who would win since I knew both of them would go on to have colorful careers later on. Look at how the Davids of last year have teamed up and visited Manila just last week. I'm happy they didn't catch anything here before having to fly back to California to perform in today's finale show. David Cook sang his song, "Permanent", dedicated to his brother who has cancer.

Donning all-white outfits, the Top 13 sang "So What" in the opening, as we all watched in anticipation on who would win today. The four judges were beaming all throughout the show, and it was refreshing to see Simon Cowell don a button-down shirt and coat instead of his usual pullover outfit. Of course, we saw again this year's Golden Idol awardees: Nick Mitchelle (aka Norman Gentle), Katrina Daryl (aka Bikini Girl), and Tatiana Del Toro.

And we also saw the usual duets with Idol contestants pairing up with big stars. Most surprising was Kara DioGuardi appearing with Bikini Girl to sing "Vision of Love" and flashing a bikini at the end of the song for charity. Other notable numbers were Jason Mraz singing "I'm Yours" with Anoop and Alexis; Kris signing "Kiss a Girl" with Keith Urban; The Idol girls singing with Fergie, who next sings with the rest of The Black Eyed Peas to launch their new album; Cyndi Lauper singing "Time after time" with Allison; Lionel Ritchie singing a medley with Danny Gokey; Adam fearlessly rocking the house with Kiss; Carlos Santana with the Idol finalists; and Queen playing "We are the champions" for Adam, Kris, and the rest of the finalists.

Going back to the article from Mashable, worth noting is how many comments the specific article has gained just within a few hours after it's posting. American Idol is truly a global phenomenon. As with the trend this year, being on Twitter was like hearing a blow-by-blow commentary of the show (#AI, #Idol, #AI8, #American Idol). It would have been hard not to know what was happening if you were online. 

But we all know that. Other things worth noting are the emotion-filled reactions contesting the predictions, with offered explanations. Most interesting is the though of whether one has to distinguish between positive searches and negative searches (searches based on negative sentiments) to doe these predictions. Something that's telling from a Twitter post: "ASTROLOGY UPDATE: Kris Allen (Cancer) will win over Adam Lambert (Virgo)." Can astrology still predict better than Google?

It's interesting how Google search (and other types of online search) is being used to predict the near future. Google already has a service called Google Flu Trends to predict the spread of flu disease in the US. But then again, judging with the final results, Google (or the people using it) still has a lot to learn.

Do you think we can use Google to predict who will win in next year's Philippine presidential elections?

Make Your Own Havaianas 2009: MYOH Goes Pop Art!

It's back! This year's Make Your Own Havaianas event is bigger and better. Head on to the Rockwell Tent near the Powerplant Mall from May 28 to June 1 to customize your own Havaianas!

Curious about what's in store? Check out the MYOH website to get a first hand at designing your own Havaianas pair. Your design is the displayed on their gallery like this:

This year, MYOH goes Pop Art. Aside from their range of Swarovski pins, they have design special Pinoy pop art and other lifestyle pins to choose from. You can check some of them out on the website, but I believe there will be more to choose from at the event.

I don't know about you but I'm raring to go. Hope to see you at the event. And I hope to see you walking outside with your new Make-Your-Own-Havaianas pair.

Globe Paramihan Challenge Update: Finally, there are mechanics

I just want to provide an update: Finally, Globe released the mechanics of the promotion. Now it's clearer.

It's sad though that user voting makes up only 20% of the judging score. Reminds me how a lot of reality TV shows are judged here in the country. But at least Globe is transparent about it. I'm not sure even how votes factor in for American Idol.

This is telling how we don't want to give full control to the public. On one hand, full public control means that contestant campaigning and fraud is more likely to affect the final outcome. On the other hand, there is a belief that "expert" opinion must weigh more than public opinion. The first case speaks of how elections are conducted in a democratic country. It doesn't turn out well oftentimes, does it?

What do you think?

Globe Paramihan Challenge: Paramihan nga ba talaga ang challenge?

A fellow blogger shared to me this link about a Globe online promotion called, "The Paramihan Challenge," launched on Multiply. 

At first, it looked interesting: A video competition encouraging participants to create videos with the "paramihan" theme. It could fly, I thought even as I found the theme a bit too broad and vague.

The contest seemed to be intended to basically create awareness for Globe EverybodyTXT20, evident from a paragraph copy inserted within the contest description. A bit lame, but then I was able to read it so it made me aware. Check.

But then, as I was reading thru the contest mechanics, it was apparent that the mechanics told participants how to create, upload videos and join the content. But it wasn't clear how the winners will be chosen. Paramihan lang ba? What if I shoot a video of all the stars in the sky. Do I win? A PHP100K contest prize is attractive enough just for shooting a video, but what's the judging criteria? Paramihan ba ng viewers? Paramihan ba ng comment? Or paramihan lang ng videos para may metrics na ipapakita sa Globe client?

I tried adding the group to my multiply to see if maybe they'll provide more information. Nada. WYSIWYG. It doesn't even tell the inclusive dates of the promotion.

I was informed that this was a Universal McCann project. UM,  what gives? Was this a draft promotion for client presentation? Then, why has it been published and being circulated? Alam ba ito ng DTI? O, dahil walang product purchase no need to clear with DTI?

Google Search Options: How will the search evolution change SEO?

It's been only a while since I really immersed myself into learning search engine optimization (SEO). And like a lot of things, the more you learn, the more you realize you have to learn. And rules are changing each day.

The rising importance of "real-time"-ness of information online, due to phenomena like microblogging (Twitter, Plurk) and link sharing services (Digg, StumbleUpon, etc.), have brought about a revolution in online search. When Google seemed to have lost it's monopoly on search, there are signs that they are back with a vengeance.

Google just announced new search service in the form of Google Search Options. Their official blog writes, "Our first announcement today is a new set of features that we call Search Options, which are a collection of tools that let you slice and dice your results and generate different views to find what you need faster and easier. [...] We think of the Search Options panel as a tool belt that gives you new ways to interact with Google Search, and we plan to fill it with more innovative and useful features in the future." 

Watch this video by Google to demonstrate some of its features:

Aside from time-based search options as an answer to Twitter search tools, the most interesting for me was the Google Wonder Wheel. Think Google search meets mind mapping. It's just way cool!

Now the question on my mind, and I must admit I have no ready answer for, is: how will this change SEO? Anyone who'd like to offer some answers? I'd love your comments.

Pet Society, Farm Town -- Is Facebook invading MMORPG territory?

I have too many other addictions that I cannot accommodate another one. So when I started seeing my friends getting into social games on Facebook I consciously refused to join. Nevertheless, I'm conscious of the craze happening not just locally, but all around the world. Facebook has been invaded by these social games, and users are catching on. Mashable also writes about it also in it's recent blog entry, "Watch Out Nintendo! Social Gaming is Rapidly on the Rise."

Playfish is the publisher of Pet Society, one of the games invading and becoming popular on Facebook. Their website writes: "In Pet Society you can customise your pet any way you want through colours, clothes and fun items like watches and jewellery. You can also decorare your pet's house with furniture and even show off the various awards you have won in the mini-games.

Show your true style together with your friends in Pet Society!"

Here's a cool fan video I found on their site showing Pet Society fashion, an obsession of players, aside from making their houses look pretty.

Why are these games catching on? Here are some of my observations (from a far distance):

1. Gaming is entertainment: After a while, Facebook users seem to get tired sharing personal stuff and links to their friends, and waiting to see what people post. The games provide users a new form of entertainment without leaving Facebook which has become a favorite online hangout for many.
2. Gaming is fun when it's social: Player vs. player gaming is competitive in whatever form, and social interaction is always much more fun than playing against a machine.
3. Gaming is fun when it's free: You don't need to buy credits to play these games. Of course, these games usually have its own economy and currency which sometimes links to real money when you get serious about playing.
   
4. Gaming is fun when it looks simple: Cute and simple. That's how games like Pet Society and Farm Town starts. Then you discover what techniques, skills and tactics you need to use to get ahead of the game.
5. Gaming is fun when you play with people you know: This is what sets these games apart from other MMORPGs. When you create an avatar, it's linked to your Facebook profile. And you see the avatars of your friends who are playing and you instantly know who they are. No need for eyeballs to get to know players. You know them already. And it's easy to invite friends to play: you can share in-game photos (and maybe other things) on your Facebook wall.

Definitely these games do not target the usual online gamers who play fantasy-type games like those of Level Up!'s. Those people are in a world of their own, both literally and figuratively (and I used to be one of them at a certain point in time). But it does appeal to non-hardcore and casual games who find it a novelty and a step up from mere casual gaming.

Is it just a fad? Maybe. Unless these games work hard to keep gaming interesting for long-time players. Maybe more interesting games will follow. Or maybe hard-core gaming on Facebook is not so far away. Now that will depend on how far Flash technology or how other more-powerful platforms will integrate with Facebook in the future.

One this is for sure though: Facebook will remain to be a favorite online hangout if they continue making it interesting for users. I wonder how marketers will follow this trend. Any predictions? I welcome your comments.

I will leave you with some Farm Town images from David W. Boles on his Farm Town review blog post.

Boles writes on his blog:

"You will be stunned by the gameplay and addicted to the gamesmanship in a matter of moments once the colorful logo greets your eye and your fertile farmland loads waiting for your aesthetic touch and business brilliance."

"The idea of the Farm Town is to build neighbors and to become land wealthy and object rich.  You achieve those goals by harvesting your neighbor's farms to earn coins and you can send gifts like trees and animals to help your neighbor create a working farm."

"In the end, you have to find a delicate balance between having lots of animals and buildings or dedicating your farm to planting as many crops as possible to earn the churn.  I'm currently of the mind that I want a farm that loads fasts for my neighbors to harvest and one that also provides me just a little aesthetic happiness in my little white farm house corner of the world."

"If you're on Facebook and you'd like to play Farm Town, sign me up as your friend, and we'll get to tending together!"