Earlier this week the CEO of Google Eric Schmidt stated that all teenagers should be allowed to change their name when they become an adult (read more here). Why you might ask – so that they can have a clean slate on Google or social media sites.

The Low Down

I wish the CEO would have come out with a little bit more advice rather than this controversial statement aimed at the headlines. It was a bit reckless if you ask me. But the youth of America don’t have to fret – they can follow one simple rule- don’t post anything you don’t want anyone to see in the future. Sure this can be really hard. You may be in a picture near some not so PC activity but you can always explain your way out of that.

Remember you can always take control of your online self. Take control today!

Foursquare is a popular Social Media app that lets you “check in” when you get to certain locations via GPS in your SmartPhone. It has been a big hit with companies like Starbucks and no doubt your local watering hole. Users often like it when they become Mayor of Bob’s Pub or the Starbucks on Main Street for example.

Competition is Brewing

In the ongoing saga of who will get the most users- SM juggernaut Facebook will soon be taking a swing at location based functionality within its app.

While details are still under wraps one can only image what this means. What other company has the staff and the users to make this the next “it” app with this functionality? Facebbok is the largest social media site out right now with no signs of stopping its quest for users who post status updates around the clock.

Advertisers

Facebook will have advertisers lined up from day one. Why you ask? For starters they will be able to see what users are saying and where they are saying it at. Not only will you know what is going on but know where to look.

We’ll keep on this to see where Facebook takes it. Don’t forget that Facebook has competition creeping up as well. Our SM’ers will keep an eye out to see if any other apps plan on adding location based services soon.

Looks like Kanye West (@kanyewest) has found his way to Twitter. With over 200,000 followers already it looks like someone is interested in what he has to say.

So far the tweets have been used to promote his new single. And maybe this is yet another way to generate some buzz. And hey, why not?

One word of advice for Kanye, please don’t use Twitter to interrupt any award show winners!

Later this year a movie based on the popular social media giant Facebook will be released – The Social Network.
I ask – do we need this movie?

The Answer

No. Unless you have been living under a rock you should have an idea as to what is going on with Facebook as of late. How much of the nitty gritty details can be covered in a movie that has not been Tweeted or reported on CNN or CNBC already.

Save $12

Instead of going to see this movie I urge you to do your own research on the SM powerhouse. Here is the one google search that should keep you busy for a while.

* Mark Zuckerberg

Yep, Mark Zuckerberg. He is the co-founder and CEO of Facebook. He is famous for launching a social media platform with over 500 million users and he thinks this movie is fiction.

It looks like form over function backfired last week when Apple was “forced” to address the public last week regarding its iPhone 4 antennae reception issue. Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO, noted that all mobile devices have reception issues. But it was clear the iPhone 4 had a real reception issue due to the placement of the receiving apparatus.

As a designer I love beautiful things. But when it comes to sending and receiving data I’d rather have function over form which is why I don’t own an iPhone. I simply need to have reliable data and voice connections. I can’t fly to NY and have a bunch of dropped calls. So that’s why I’m on a Motorola Droid on the Verizon network.

Not to sound like an advertisement for either brand but I have yet to experience memorable dropped calls in my time with Verizon. But I will say that the Droid has zero aesthetic qualities and the Android Marketplace is more of a flea market than a nicely executed retail store like the App Store but function won me over in this case.

But, as soon as Verizon and Apple come together I’ll drop the Droid faster than its red eye start screen can say, “DROOOOIIIIIIDDDDD”! Because a beautiful device with an awesome user experience AND great functionality (as far as connectivity goes) is the sweet spot all product companies should achieve.

Nokia and RIM’s recent comments dumping on Apple however illuminates more of their desire to build cheap and unattractive devices more so than stating they have superior products. After all both brands are attempting to copy Apple’s UI and UX. Let’s not forget that Apple revolutionized the smart phone device segment. And they did that by creating a device that had great looks, smart functionality, and amazing apps.

I would offer though that Apple focus on making good looking stuff that also is functional and when they have to decide between form over function, let function win over but not without exhausting all efforts to marry the two.

No. What – you don’t like deals? I get it, the idea of being the first one to hear about a bargain turns you off. Ok enough sarcasm. You really should check out @earlybird. It is an official Twitter account that offers deals to its followers. These are “sponsored” tweets- not all together a bad thing at the present. There is one catch. The deals are time sensitive and may be linked to items that are limited in quantity available.

Deals, Deals, and More Deals to Come

So what kind of deals are there? Buy one get one free tickets for the latest Disney movie for starters. This is only the beginning though. From what Twitter is saying the deals will include every thing from fashion, tech and travel.

Currently this feed only has about 50k followers. You still have a good chance to get on the ground floor of some pretty amazing deals!

I recently had the pleasure of reviewing a designer’s portfolio this past week. Her portfolio included the following categories: Print, Illustration, and Web. We largely focus on Web work here at Modal so of course I went right to the “Web” category and saw comps that looked like design exercises- not quite finished and lacking polish. But I wanted to give this portfolio a full review and started browsing the other categories which were more in depth. And what a pleasant surprise.

The print and illustration work was incredible! There was a passion and playfulness throughout the work that was lacking on the Web side. So I just had to ask the designer straight up- “why does your Illustration and Print work look so polished while your Web work doesn’t demonstrate that same passion and vigor?” And then the answer, “I’ve only been designing web sites for about a year. I’m a print designer.”

I’m amazed to still hear this answer. It’s the classic Print designer versus Web designer issue again. Look the designer’s understanding of color, typography, and use of a grid were awesome. It was as if the Web work was dialed back so far that it didn’t even resemble the other work. I knew that if she had taken her excellent work from the Print and Illustration sides and put that into the web sites they would have been gorgeous.

So what is the problem with Print v. Web? As a Print designer you were probably classically trained in typography, balance, shape, contrast, whitespace use, etc. Where many untrained Web designers may not know these basics but pick them up via NetTuts and other tutorial sites and create beautiful pieces. I don’t know if it’s a lack of training in the technology on the Print side or what. I am befuddled.

Help me straighten this out- I want to hear from Print designers who successfully made their way to the Web. Maybe we’ll discover an answer together- Web Designer vs. Print Designer.

Will a new king be crowned for Twitter this week? As you may have heard NBA phenom LeBron James has joined Twitter this week. This is a great move on LeBron’s part as he is in the midst of free agency trade negotiations. He has over 300,000 followers and that is the just the beginning.

Building Buzz!

LeBron is a talented basketball player. He is also just as savvy when it comes to marketing himself. He has surrounded himself with a business group that handles all things LeBron – a group of friends and past teammates that he has known for most of his life. One may ask why has it taken so long for “The King” to make his way to Twitter. I think this is a calculated and very smart play – just in time to announce what team he has decided to sign with.

Twitter will be a win – win for LeBron and the fans. His tweets may be serious or funny. Either way millions of fans will likely follow him @KingJames to see. Oh, let’s not forget his sponsors. I am sure they will love to get the occasional pitch via a tweet here and there.

Basketball fan or not this will be an interesting week for Twitter. A current trending topic and maybe another Twitter account to hit the million plus mark shortly. Only time will tell.

Has Facebook finally met its match? Earlier this week Kevin Rose of Digg tweeted about a “rumor” regarding Google’s launch of a Social Media platform. Later Adam D’Angelo all but confirmed the story on an Q&A board. Seems to me that the “cat” is out of the bag – Google is going full steam into the Social Media game- AGAIN!

What Does This Mean?

Facebook should be ready for a fight – for its users. Who ever has the users will be selling the most ads. Google is going to come at this with everything its got. Especially after Buzz. We all remember Buzz right? If you don’t that’s OK you can read about it here. Google has some ground to cover but it may have a trick or two up its sleeve. I am sure they learned a lesson or two from Buzz.
For the users of Social Media it could mean choice. Users really have only had a few choices – Facebook, Myspace or don’t use either platform. Now it seems that with Google coming to the Social Media table there will be some real competition.

Facebook Challenges

Lately Facebook has had its fair share of bad PR. Now is the time to turn things around – revamp the platform, ensure privacy and come out with some features that we can not live without. Facebook should use this as a wake up call. Take a step back and look at the Social Media landscape to see what they can improve upon.

Be on the watch for viral videos, emails, tweets – heck even Facebook updates. It won’t take long for word to spread of Google’s new venture.

Recently Mini USA challenged Porsche to a race. Yea, the tiny people movers from The Italian Job movie have started messing with one of the quickest road cars in production today. And for what? Publicity of course!

The whole thing started with emails and later turned into a Facebook page created by Mini asking users to sign up and push Porsche to accept the challenge. Next Mini created a series of humorous videos mimicking the Mini vehicle in training camp like Rocky Balboa in training in Russia in Rocky- Rocky 3, 4, maybe; there’s so many.

Anyway, Porsche never accepted the challenge but their campaign did generate a lot of viral buzz on Facebook and other sites.

Integrating Social Media
More and more big brands are creating integrated campaigns that include social media. The next time you think about your next product promotion think about ways in which you too can integrate social media into your plan. Maybe Porsche will race Mini one day. Maybe they won’t. It really doesn’t matter because the buzz has already been generated!