Push Notifications Are Going To Be Hot, Again

The release of iOS 5 will bring attention back to push notifications by giving a place to consume them on both the lock screen and the pull down notification center. As I’ve used iOS 5 over the course of 3 months I’ve built a new appreciation for utilizing push notifications and I’m more likely to turn them on for more apps.

With the changes coming in iOS 5 I predict that we’ll see more people getting comfortable with app notifications and more apps starting to offer them.

September 2, 2011

Impromptu Gathering: A Concept for a Pre-Check In Option

After using location based check-in services I have wondered why there isn’t a simple method to get people together before you arrive to a location. I want a method to invite friends to get together for a drink today after work, go bowling, or go for a hike tomorrow afternoon. This type of activity is not an event — it’s an impromptu gathering and it’s much more casual. I think it would be perfect for Facebook and here’s a concept for how it would work:

  1. Create a new gathering from the News Feed.
  2. Set the location, date, time, and tag anyone that you want to be notified. You are limited to creating gatherings within the next two days.
  3. When you post the gathering anyone tagged will see it in their News Feed and get a notification according to their settings.
  4. There is no need to respond to the gathering to say you are attending. You can comment on the gathering and everyone else that is tagged can read other comments.
  5. Show up and have a drink!
August 29, 2011
#design 
Here is a red Growl style that I created specificially to use with the Propane Campfire application. This is an edit of the MobileMe style by Drew Smith. I give all the credit to Drew for the animation and concept, I just came up with the red tones in the border and gradient. I use Drew’s blue MobileMe style for all notifications besides Campfire set to the top right, and then use this red style in the top left to separate out Campfire conversations. Download Red Growl Style

Here is a red Growl style that I created specificially to use with the Propane Campfire application. This is an edit of the MobileMe style by Drew Smith. I give all the credit to Drew for the animation and concept, I just came up with the red tones in the border and gradient.

I use Drew’s blue MobileMe style for all notifications besides Campfire set to the top right, and then use this red style in the top left to separate out Campfire conversations.

Download Red Growl Style

July 13, 2011
Wunderlist & CalendarBar are two great applications to stay organized. CalendarBar is a Mac OS X menubar app ($1.99) that gives you a quick look at one or more Google Calendars. Since we all use Google Calendar in the office I’m able to take a quick look at my own schedule and also stay aware of what’s going on with my team members. Wunderlist is a great to do list app with reminders, sharing, is free, and syncs across Mac, Windows, iPhone, iPad, and Android.

Wunderlist & CalendarBar are two great applications to stay organized. CalendarBar is a Mac OS X menubar app ($1.99) that gives you a quick look at one or more Google Calendars. Since we all use Google Calendar in the office I’m able to take a quick look at my own schedule and also stay aware of what’s going on with my team members.

Wunderlist is a great to do list app with reminders, sharing, is free, and syncs across Mac, Windows, iPhone, iPad, and Android.

May 12, 2011
#osx #ipad #project management 

Rapportive Reveals Information About Your Contacts

Here’s my super-secret weapon. Don’t tell anyone, but please RT and Reblog this post. Rapportive is a Gmail add-on that displays information about your contacts and anyone sending you an Email. It’s like a social media assistant that internet stalks people for you. Seriously awesome and useful.

May 12, 2011
#gmail 
Three intriguing startups pitched last night at Verge Indy. A safer topic-focused ChatRoulette called Grab a Chat, a Dropbox based video encoding and delivery service called BigBlueWagon, and a web app for athletic officials called The Tyros.

Three intriguing startups pitched last night at Verge Indy. A safer topic-focused ChatRoulette called Grab a Chat, a Dropbox based video encoding and delivery service called BigBlueWagon, and a web app for athletic officials called The Tyros.

April 29, 2011

Snapshot

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