The latest in Internet, website, gadget, and electronic trends.

Blog Love

by Mika Ortega

February 9, 2007

If you’re a football fan, an Internet user, or simply a human being, you’ve probably heard of MySuperProposal.com. Everyone has and reasonably so since this 2 million dollar stunt has stirred a buzz all over the web. Telling of Rand’s journey to propose on a SuperBowl commercial to his girlfriend, Geraldine, this blog site reveals the genuine love of these to-be-weds.

Rand’s grand idea to propose to Geraldine was partially overshadowed by gossip and doubt in the legitimacy of the site. Incorporating PayPal for donations and an e-store for My Super Proposal merchandise, many questioned Rand’s intentions. Still, though, the world became engrossed in this love story believing what Rand commented on his February 6th blog: “Was this just a big scam to get people to watch the SuperBowl? Nope.”

While in the end Rand’s proposal did in fact turn out to be legitimate, there are still dozens of fakers out on the web. The recent YouTube bride and video blogger “lonelygirl15” both proved to be bogus, and you’d think that the Internet would start to lose its credibility because of it. But no. Here we are- millions of Googlers who trust that just about everything the search engines pull up is fact. “When over 10% of any population begins to use a product or service,” Tasso of Appeal Media comments, “we arrive at what's called ‘critical mass.’ The American Population reached critical mass a little over a year ago with the Internet and because of that trust in the Internet for both purchasing and information is at an all time high and will increase exponentially until it penetrates the market at around 90%. That's basic economics.”

In any case, Rand’s television proposal was a hit (although he had to settle for a commercial during Veronica Mars instead of the SuperBowl). Instead of accepting gifts and money, Rand and Geraldine have opted to have all gifts sent to the Seattle Children’s Hospital. The donations were forwarded also to Vanderbilt’s Children’s Hospital in Nashville. For more information, check out MySuperProposal.com. Rand is still posting blogs for his many web friends and supporters.

The latest in Internet, website, gadget, and electronic trends.

The iPhone Emerges

by Mika Ortega

January 30, 2007

The highly anticipated iPhone is finally here. Exclusive to Cingular, this Apple cellular device has it all: a touch screen interface, exceptional proximity and light sensors, mp3 capabilities, and good ‘ol Mac controversy. Second to none, the iPhone is creating a buzz all around and will no doubt continue to beyond its release.

The features of the iPhone are just like everything else Apple touches- innovative, visually immaculate, and all-around impressive. From the size of the screen to the extremity of the browser, everything about this cell phone is truly remarkable. Perhaps the most laudable element of the iPhone is its intuitiveness. Able to detect the direction you’re looking at the phone, whether or not you’ve put the phone to your ear, and how much ambient light you need to view content on the screen, this phone “ushers in an era of software power and sophistication never before seen in a mobile device,” as the promotional site comments.

Despite its famed sophistication, the iPhone couldn’t escape the inevitable contention known to follow Apple/Mac products and campaigns. Cisco Systems Inc., an Internet networking company in San Jose, California, stated in a recent press release that they were suing Apple, “seeking to prevent Apple from infringing upon and deliberately copying and using Cisco’s registered iPhone trademark.” Fortunately for Apple, Cisco did “not own the mark as claimed,” and therefore Apple presents the iPhone.

Much like the iPod, the iPhone will be available in a 4GB and 8GB capacity. Also similar to the iPod is Apple’s sureness to be cashing in, since the iPhone carries a hefty pricetag of $500-600 (and that’s WITH a contract!). Regardless of the price, and the fact that it’s exclusive to one network, the iPhone is definitely worth a look as its features are numerous and its attributes are superb.