Posts Tagged ‘apple’

I was talking to a sales rep at an apple store.  The store is kind of my crack.  Anyway, asking him (as if he knew) why in the world they didn’t include a camera on the iPad.  The funniest answer I keep getting to that question is “Why would you want to take a picture with something that big?”.  I just have to laugh.

Aside from video conferencing, the uses are almost as ubiquitous.  I won’t bore you with the entire list of possibilities, my job is brainstorming, it would be far too long.

The point is why tout a piece of technology as “redefining” how we use technology while putting such severe limits on it.  Why not present the developer community with a piece of technology that allows them to imagine what they could do with it, rather than curse the limitations.

There… that’s my rant for today.  And hopefully Apple will listen to me and when they release the iPad it will have at least a camera.

It can be easy to drown in the news surrounding marketing, social media, and brand strategy.  This week, we dredged through the good, the bad, and everything in between to bring you what we think is the most interesting marketing, social media, and brand strategy news of the week of January 19:

Social Media For Good:  With the destruction of the Haiti earthquake only beginning to be uncovered, social media and viral marketing played a huge role in fundraising and awareness-building for Haiti.  It’s been a bad week for the world, but a great one for social media, which is only just starting to live up to its potential.  Mashable points out five social media lessons from the Haitian relief effort. One writer urges us to “focus on impact, not shiny objects.” In a media void, organizations like the BBC are planning on offering podcasts in Creole to Haitian individuals and news outlets.    And the “Hope for Haiti” telecast will be available on the Web tonight as well.

Take the Tablet:  Rumors are swirling about Apple’s mysterious tablet computer.  All over the Web, Mac whores and interested ancillary parties discussed what it will look like, how much it will cost, and whether it’s already played out.  Can it cook dinner for you?  Help broker world peace?  Break the longtime AT&T monopoly on Apple cellular devices? We shall see.

Big Changes Afoot:  No matter what side of the political spectrum you fall on, you’re bound to be affected (and soon) by the recent Republican victory in Massachusetts, the closure of influential talk radio station Air America, and the Supreme Court’s landmark decision to open up campaign financing by rolling back corporate spending limits.  Expect to see huge changes in the health care debate, fueled by evolving marketing tactics on the part of both smaller interest groups and big business.  Our prediction:  the landmark shift in social discourse that began with the contentious 2008 election was just the first step in a new marketing climate that relies on niche and multichannel tactics to mobilize and organize constituents and influence decisionmakers.

Got great news to share?  Let us know in the comments below!