Search results matching tags 'digital' and 'iPhone'

Digital Britain Report Will Make PR Sector Think More Digital

2292853 — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:53:00 GMT

With the release of the government's Digital Britain report this week, it comes at a timely juncture in the industry of public relations, where new technology tools are increasingly being used for communications campaigns, far more than in past years. While the main highlights of the report address infrastructure needs, improving digital access for all and controversial funding decisions for media resources such as the BBC and Channel 4, the ensuing discussions of the report have put digital on the intellectual radar for all, including those crafting PR strategy in what is more and more a fractured, niche-driven digital media landscape.

Previously, and still today, traditional PR professionals, and clients, have been reluctant to include digital media in their outreach strategy, among some excuses being:

Our clients don't care about blogs, they only want to be in the Financial Times.
We don't have the budget or time to manage online outreach, as well as traditional media outreach.
Why should we care about what someone says in a forum or a tweet about our brand?

Now, partly by force as a result of high profile cases such as Amazon experienced with bloggers and Twitter, or Domino's experienced with employees posting inappropriate YouTube videos, partly because of recessionary budget restraints on PR budgets, and partly because it seems that the tipping point of mainstream involvement in social networking has been reached (Oprah Winfrey is on Twitter!), it seems digital has snowballed into a force that must be reckoned with -- like it or not.

The government's Digital Britain report addresses many issues, and its recommendations are controversially being debated among many industries, but one of the key things it does is further force digital into the forefront of public attention and gives it a new level of credibility among businesses who may have previously scoffed at the online world.

For many years now I've been an advocate of using digital media for communications outreach and have advised many clients in how to incorporate new technology tools into campaigns, often being met with a mix of disbelief as to if it would be a worthwhile investment, and general befuddled ness as to what I've been talking about. It seems the whole wide world is now turning new attention to using digital media, and this, I think, is exciting and positive both for people and bussinesses.

While many of us who can be classified as early adopters of the digital age are already well established or have even moved onto the next new thing with tools like Audioboo for the iPhone, FriendFeed, Su.PR and the coming soon Google Wave, we've all got to remember that there are millions of newbies from all walks of business and humanity that are just testing out the tools of the online world, with a bit of intimidation and fear.

It is is up to us, who are deeply online, to welcome, to teach and to help newocmers navigate this territory. It may be your family members, your co-workers or even your boss, who have basic questions, and if the government is going to see any success from its Digital Britain report, it is up to everyone who is already active online to be friendly mentors and teachers in helping the rest of the world catch-up with digital life. Yesterday, after reading over the report, it seemed to be a 200+ page document stating a lot of the obvious. However, these last few weeks, I've got more and more people both professionally and personally asking me questions about the basics of how to use Twitter, how to write a blog, how to manage the weird professional/personal world of Facebook, and what might seem obvious to some, just isn't to most.

Recently I've also joined the ranks of being a trainer with Pinnacle PR, a company providing all levels of communications training. My role is instructing a course in PR 2.0, providing a comprehensive look at the many multimedia digital media tools available online, and giving real-life workshops in how to construct campaigns with the tools. With the release of Digital Britain this week, I'm seeing more of the increasing importance digital is playing for business, and, based on training and conversations with people, understanding more that it is still, in fact "new" media for most people.

If you are in PR, and would like to increase your skills of PR 2.0, or other offerings from Pinnacle PR (including traditional courses of media training, media relations, crisis communications, strategic campaign planning and more) sign up for a course, and get a 10% discount up until the end of July. Pinnacle PR has offices in London, Brussels, Dubai and a newly opened training centre in Bahrain, where experienced instructors both from the media and public relations sectors provide junior up through senior level executive courses and instruction.

Training for the digital future,

-Lisa

iTunes kiosks coming to an airport near you?

255762 — Mon, 11 May 2009 13:29:00 GMT

A patent filing uncovered by industry blog AppleInsider shows that Apple has plans to develop a series of wireless iTunes 'kiosks' or download hubs where users can load content on their iPods before travelling.

The 19-page patent, filed in November 2007, reveals that Apple wants to develop an iTunes Store distribution hub, that could potentially set up shop in airports and train terminals, and would allow wireless downloads of music, films or television programmes for commuters.

The kiosks would be able to detect an iPod in the immediate vicinity, allowing users to download content without wires or cords, even in areas without wireless internet access.

The wireless component would mean that users could purchase content without having incur roaming charges on their devices while waiting for downloads to complete.

Apple said in the patent that the kiosks would be useful for travellers who wish to load their iPods, iPhones or other handheld devices before boarding a flight, ship or train.

The notoriously secretive Apple has not previously mentioned the iTunes kiosks, but it would undoubtedly prove to be a lucrative source of revenue, especially with the right branding and selective location. Hopefully this is one that doesn't get swept under the Apple rug.

iTunes kiosks coming to an airport near you?

2371004 — Mon, 11 May 2009 13:25:00 GMT

The kiosks would be able to detect an iPod in the immediate vicinity, allowing users to download content without wires or cords, even in areas without wireless internet access.

The wireless component would mean that users could purchase content without having incur roaming charges on their devices while waiting for downloads to complete.

Apple said in the patent that the kiosks would be useful for travellers who wish to load their iPods, iPhones or other handheld devices before boarding a flight, ship or train.

Top five websites for Twitter to relinquish its internet crown

2371004 — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:28:00 GMT

Last January, I could hardly imagine myself uttering the word "twitter" without a hint sardonic irony, or even a little resentment.

However, come 2009, it's become such an important part of my daily lexicon that the actual meaning of the word is beginning to fade away in a blissful fog of web-induced ADHD.

Frankly, it's growing tiresome, saying the word. We need something new, something refreshing.

Will Twitter be as popular come 2010? Yes, very, very likely.

But what's the next scrappy up-and-comer with a catchy name and "don't know how we functioned without it" features ready to take the world by storm?

In a word, it should be: Loopt.

With the staggering number of iPhones being sold across the globe (4.4m in the past three months) Loopt will simply become essential.

Loopt is pretty cool and ridiculously easy to use, not unlike Twitter.

It shows users where friends are located and what they are doing using interactive maps on their mobile phones.

Which a lot of mobile applications are capable of. However, Loopt has the social networking zeal that any successful internet phenomenon should.

The app can detects businesses in the vicinity of you and your friends and makes a suggestion based on your preset preferences, it also recommends it to your friends, and lets your friends comment back so you can organise a get-together, for a proper boozer.

As if nipping out after work for a quick pint wasn't tempting enough, now your phone is going to tell you to as your guiltily sashay past the gym.

Oh and it's not just for the iPhone, it works with over 100 other mobile handsets as well.

The other four websites to look out for?

TV.com, which we mentioned here before, should be at least as popular as hugely popular Hulu;

Qik, a YouTube for mobilephone video is incredibly handy;

Blip.fm, Twitter-like social networking for the musically-inclined;

and finally Cooliris, image based web searching that is addictively helpful.

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