Electronic Hungry Hungry Hippos iPad Edition
Okay, so I just have to say that this one is probably one of my personal favorites.   ThinkGeek.com posted an iPad version of the popular game from the 80′s on their website.  However, when you clicked to purchase, you would find out it was an Aprils fools joke.  If this was a real product, I’d purchase it.  Truthfully, I’d probably purchase five.  I’d need to share the love!

Conan O’Brien Takes Over Mashable
On Mashable, O’Brien angrily took over Mashable.  Instead of Cashmore’s face, users who visited Mashable would see a less-friendly looking image of Conan.  Check out this hilarious video below for more information.

See the video here: http://youtu.be/xxUAK5LeA5U

Google Maps 8-bit
Did anyone see this?  Google executed a fantastically nerdy parody to the old 8-bit NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) video game styles.   They published a version of their Google Maps using 8-bit art.  Coming the perspective of a gamer from the Nintendo generation, I loved this!

Image Source: TheNextWeb.Com

Google Chrome Multitask Mode
Google “proclaimed” to release a version of Chrome that would allow you browse the web with multiple cursors at the same time.  Apparently, this will increase your productivity.

https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/multitask.html 

Google Fiber
As an internet marketing professional and part time health nut, I have to say that I loved this one!  Google might be testing cars that drive themselves, working on Android updates, or something trite like saving the world through computers, but most importantly – they are producing Google Fiber bars.  Because Google clearly understands that fiber is a essential ingredient to a healthy diet.

“I feel like Google Fiber knows me in a way that I don’t even know myself. By giving me my nutrients and fiber boosts just when I need them, I feel more productive, effective, and content.”
Susan Chan, Beta Tester, Google Fiber

In news that broke just after 5 pm PDT on Friday, March 30, 2012, it appears that Twitter will soon become part of the Google family. Analysts speculate that the search giant wants to further build out its Google+ platform.

Since launching a head-on assault on Facebook last April with Google+ and offering a $12.5 billion takeover of Motorola, Google appears to have its sights firmly set on the mobile Web. In just over six years, Twitter has become a mainstream part of that mobile Web. Its 140-character limits were set up so that messages could be sent and received easily on mobile devices. With Twitter already integrated into both Apple iOS and Android devices, this move seems to be one that many analysts say is long overdue.

Read the official announcement from Google: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2012/03/welcoming-twitter-in-140-characters.html

You can also check out the official Twitter announcement: http://blog.twitter.com/2012/03/joining-the-google-family.html

This week in the world of digital by Michelle Beckham-Corbin:

Pinterest

Pinterest creates controversy with their TOS causing many creatives like photographers to leave the platform. Read more here.

Facebook

Facebook announced at FMC12 that Timeline will be automatically activated on 3/30/12 for  Pages.  This surprise timing move is causing companies to revamp their Pages and applications to fit the new specs.  Timeline will allow for new ways to market Pages and include a host of changes that admin need to be aware of.  Excellent article by Social Media Examiner discussing key things you need to know to market with Timeline here.

SXSW Interactive Conference:

South by Southwest (SXSW) is the annual music, film, and interactive conference and festival held in Austin, Texas. Historically, start-up companies have used SXSW to either launch their apps or services or gain exposure to a wider audience.  Notable start-ups coming out of SXSW include Twitter and Foursquare.  Follow mRank Leaderboard to see which companies are generating buzz at the conference.  Read full article here.

This blog post originally appeared on Michelle Beckham’s Blog here.

Additionally, Vickie Sceifers shared some exciting news with the group: Facebook is now allowing Pages to appeal for a name change. This is was not allowed prior to March of 2012 and is great news for businesses and orgs who hastily chose a Page name and set it.  Here’s the link to make the switch.

New Media Cincinnati presents the 2/11/2012 Pinterest Panel. Our panelists are Jodi Heflin and Joanne Lincoln Maly.

Jodi Heflin

Jodie Heflin is the Vice President of Business Intelligence at LUCRUM, Inc. Jodie works with customers across Cincinnati to make their existing data more meaningful. When not working with customers, Jodie spends the rest of her day with her 5 boys (ages 5-12) running to football practices, basketball games, lacrosse tournaments and track meets.

At the age of 3, one of her oldest twins was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. This diagnosis and the management of it has required that Jodie bring her “day job” data analysis skills home to help manage her son. Between Facebook and Pinterest, Jodie has connected with moms across the country who are managing their child’s health using different tools, medications, and strategies.

Website: www.lucruminc.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jodieheflin
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/jbheflin/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jodie.heflin
Email: jodie.heflin@gmail.com

Joanne Lincoln Maly

Joanne Lincoln Maly has an extensive professional background in strategic marketing and social media, laser-focused corporate communications, dynamic media relations. She is principal of a boutique consulting group, Lincoln Maly Marketing, with a business focus in support for small-to-large sized businesses, non-profit organizations and tourism efforts.
Her Twitter profile says: fan of creative thinking, believer in positive minds, kind hearts. Take those elements and add core messaging and a can-do attitude and you’ll get the recipe of who Joanne is and how she guides her clients at Lincoln Maly Marketing.

Website: http://www.LincolnMalyMarketing.com
Blog: http://www.LincolnMalyMarketing.com/blog/simply-said
Twitter: @JoanneMaly @positivelycinci
Facebook Page: http://facebook.com/LincolnMalyMarketing
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/lincolnmalymarketing
Google+: http://www.gplus.to/joannemaly
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/joannemaly/
Klout: http://klout.com/#/JoanneMaly

Wow. Somehow we’re one and half months into 2012 and very much looking forward to what the months ahead have in store.

When the New Media Cincinnati Steering Committee met recently, we talked about what we’d like the theme for 2012 to be. Two words came up: Connect and Community.

It has been inspiring for me to see how much this community has grown from just over a dozen that met together in October 2007 to what we have today. We used to just congregate around Twitter and Facebook. Now we have a Foursquare venue, a thriving LinkedIn group, and, more recently, a Google Plus page.

It’s not surprising. Over four years ago this group came about through a passion to help those of us in the Greater Cincinnati area connecting online to meet together in person. At first it was just me taking care of everything. I wised up a couple years ago and asked for those in this community who felt a burning desire to make this group the best version of itself to step forward and be a part of the Steering Committee. I have been inspired by the passion each member brings. Entirely a volunteer effort, New Media Cincinnati would not be as great of a community if it weren’t for them.

We’ve gone through some changes over the past year, with some members needing to step out. We recently asked Christiaan Todd and Daniel Lewis if they would be willing to join the Steering Committee, and they graciously accepted. Both Chris and Daniel have been around New Media Cincinnati for a long time. I’ve added links to their Twitter profiles along with the rest of the Steering Committee on the sidebar here at the website. If you have any questions or suggestions and don’t feel like talking to me, reach out to anyone on the Steering Committee.

So many stories have been told about people who’ve connected through New Media Cincinnati that have gone on to do business together or get employed. What stories will be told this year?

The theme to guide us is Connect and Community. Thank you for joining us. Let’s make it a great year!

Other ways to get your New Media Cincinnati news

Earlier this week I stopped by Frame USA to catch a glimpse of the frames they’re donating toward the 2011 NMC Digital Awards. I think you’ll agree that they look awesome.  Be sure to register to attend if you haven’t already.

Sneak Preview of the 2011 NMC Digital Awards

As we begin to wrap up the 2011 season of New Media Cincinnati, it’s time to cast your vote for the NMC Digital Awards! These will be given at the November 12, 2011 New Media Cincinnati Second Saturday event. Last month we opened up the nominations so that you could share who you believe has done excellent work this year.

Thanks to Frame USA for printing the awards and donating custom frames with the NMC logo in them!

Your nominees for the 2011 NMC Digital Awards are as follows:

NMC Digital Native

Exemplary dedication to the practice and promotion of digital literacy and community building in the Greater Cincinnati area over the past year.

Brent Billock

“Brent is a rich source of digital media expertise and practice. He brings his sharp skills to the table in multiple venues and is an agile user as well as able promoter of digital media.”

“By creating SocialNati.com, Brent Billock has taken the ‘Most Social City’ designation from Mashable.com and run with it. He’s creating an easy to navigate home for social events and social media events with a Twitter stream that tells you anything the event listing may have missed. It’s important in our ‘digital age’ that we know where to go to connect socially & in person. Brent’s site succeeds in facilitating and encouraging a very social (media) city!”

Christiaan Todd

“Chris constantly shares his knowledge of the latest and greatest in digital and social media whether it is platform changes, social media policy, new apps or events in the news within many digital communities like LinkedIn Groups, Facebook Groups, email and at New Media Cincinnati meetings. Photographer by day, he is a consummate social media pro 24/7 and someone who’s opinion I respect.”

Crystal Thies

“As the LinkedIn Ninja, Crystal has done a phenomenal job this year in helping businesses and individuals better brand themselves and use LinkedIn better. Locally, she’s given presentations and taught us how to get the most out of our profiles. I especially liked her talk at the Clermont Chamber on things you didn’t realize you could do with LinkedIn.”

Daniel Lewis

“Daniel has been doing an amazing job making PodCamp Cincinnati happen.”

Debba Haupert

“With Girlfriendology, Debba is a master of digital community building, and has grown her network tremendously since she first attended New Media Cincinnati.”

Joe Robb

“Joe has always put himself out there for anyone that has needed expertise in this realm. He’s well versed in all Social Media aspects and shows a tremendous amount of enthusiasm whenever the topic of social media is being discussed. He has numerous how to sites and videos that help our clients when we engineers are too busy to explain it all.”

Michelle Hummel

“Started a class to teach different uses of social media. The Web Media Expert brand is active and constantly posting about community.”

NMC Digital Giving First

Outstanding support toward members and potential members of the New Media Cincinnati community by sharing expertise and raising awareness through education and example both within meetings and during after-hours over the past year.

Daniel Lewis

“Daniel’s work to make PodCamp Cincinnati a reality and his desire to bring members of the social media community of Cincinnati together to make it happen and work as a team makes him a perfect candidate for the Digital Giving First Award.”

“Extraordinary effort in bringing PodCamp Cincinnati to town! Daniel has a tremendous vision and enthusiasm for education and content creation within the social media space and beyond! It’s been a pleasure and honor to work with him as he led the PodCamp Cincinnati Planning Committee. In addition, he always made himself available to answer questions and broaden my scope of understanding. Highest regards and recommendation!”

“Besides coordinating the incredible ‘PodCamp Cincinnati’, Daniel has been a huge advocate and supporter of New Media Cincinnati. He is constantly attending the meetings and speaking up to support members of the organization. I find myself continually inspired by his leadership, expertise, and dedication to supporting our community at large.”

Matthew Evins

“Matthew stepped up to volunteer as co-host on the New Media Cincinnati podcast with Daniel Johnson, Jr. this year.  He and Daniel have been going through the NMC LinkedIn group and other sources, sussing out relevant discussions to share with the community.”

NMC Digital Go The Distance Dedication

Sincere dedication to attend New Media Cincinnati events. Person who has dedicated his or her time, energy, and resources to consistently travel a great distance to listen, learn, and contribute to New Media Cincinnati.

Ann Lightfoot

“Ann travels deep from the southern fields of Kentucky to make the monthly New Media Cincinnati meetings. She is always there with a smile and shares her experience with the group. She travels over 2 hours round trip to join us!”

“Ann has been a dedicated member of New Media Cincinnati since I have first ever attended. She is constantly exuding a positive attitude and always is passionate about connecting others. With a constant smile, she actively engages in the discussions and has fostered many inspiring discussions. I nominate Ann Lightfoot for the NMC Digital Go the Distance Dedication Award.”

Brandon Kilby

“He’s always there & approachable! Not sure his is the farthest commute, but it’s a commitment that he upholds to enhance the NMCincy community. In addition, he has stepped up and presented to the group. Kudos!”

Tom Rockhold

“Tom Rockhold doesn’t live in the Cincinnati area. He lives just outside the Columbus area but is passionate about being involved in the New Media Cincinnati community. So much so, that he drives almost every month to spend time with us. I understand he’s donated equipment that is used during events, too.”

Voting

Voting will be open until 5 PM this Friday, November 4, 2011. So vote now!

–> Click here to cast your votes! <–

Help us spread the word by pasting this text into your social media streams:

Congrats to all the 2011 NMC Digital Award Nominees! Vote now! http://bit.ly/tp2056 #nmcincy

Each month throughout 2011, we’ve been bringing you news that has moved us. This month, it’s all about the new Facebook changes with a side of Google Plus.

Articles

• TechCrunch: Facebook’s Massive Kitchen Sink Update: Photo Tag Approvals And So Much More
• USA Today: 10 Things to know about the new Facebook
• Mashable: Facebook Is Getting Too Damn Complicated [OPINION]
• Hubze: Facebook’s Secret Project

Videos

What is Google+ (Google Plus) and do I need it?

Introducing Timeline — a New Kind of Profile

A New Class of Social Apps on Facebook

It’s time to acknowledge great work done in the community! New Media Cincinnati plans to give out the following three awards at the November Second Saturday event:

More information about the NMC Digital Awards.

Submit your nominations here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JP8GRFJ

Nominations are open until October 18, 2011.