Hyperlocal Blogging
SEO consultant Matt McGee discusses the growing trend of “hyperlocal” blogs. He mentions the big names like Gothamist, but surprisingly left out a number of localized blogging communities like the Chattanooga-founded Terrablogs, which has been around for years. Coincidentally (or not), I’ll be announcing an exciting new group adventure into this space in just a few days. Stay tuned!
Can Android Vanquish the iPhone?
In a word, no. Seriously, though, Business Week is asking the question. Fair enough, but the fact is that Android is just a software platform at this point. There is no “gPhone” and there probably won’t be a handset manufactured by Google. Perhaps one of the big handset makers will take Android and do something great with it, but I don’t expect any Android phone to be as big a hit as the iPhone. Apple’s “closed system” — which is often lamented by that same crowd waiting for Android — is what makes their products successful and beloved. They control the user experience more than anyone else in this space, and they are the hands-down experts.
Sketch Notes
If you, like me, missed the SEED 3 conference put on by 37Signals, you’ll want to check out these incredible sketch notes from the event. There’s also a great profile of the conference in the Chicago Reader. I’m still processing the vast amounts of info and insights…
Summer on Prince Edward Island
Chattanooga may be the “scenic city,” but PEI looks absolutely gorgeous. I suppose Dan deserves summer vistas like this after enduring the frigid Canadian winter.
3 comments ↓
Hey John — I’d love to know about any local blog sites/networks you’re aware of. I think I had heard of Terrablogs, but now they’re bookmarked. I think this space is really going to take off…..
@ Hyperlocal - looking forward to it
@ Android/iPhone
I can’t help but believe that Apple is reveling in the PMD success that Sony had with the Walkman back in the 80’s. That success will continue, but history is any guide, it will come to and end. Not because Apple products became worse, but because the effort to compete became less. Apple’s products resonate very well with a their core market but are either mis-priced or out of sync with others - this can’t be helped, because other than a product like the fork, the pillow or the chair a tech product rarely can come close to ubiquitous adoption.
@ SEED/37 Sig
My bro-n-law is a 37 Sig/43folders (and other number sites) apologist as well as a top level project manager at Level 7. He’s always testing their proposed methodologies and products. I rarely have the time or inclination to do the same.
@ PEI
I had a friend from college that grew up near there. In addition to freezing most of his live, he did have the joy of summers in what appears to be a momentary paradise.
@ Matt
I agree that this space is going to take off. The tough thing is that as it takes off, there are going to be a lot of people entering the space who are more concerned with making a buck than bringing value to their communities.
@ stelmodad
I think that Apple is driving a new level of competition in the smartphone segment. I don’t think they’ll have any trouble staying motivated.
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