As many of you know I have been an iPhone user since day one, currently on my 4th one which is the 3GS (I lose things…but at least I could track it last time I lost it…..it got stolen).
Anyway I also have a Motorola Droid and it’s the best phone I’ve ever had on the Verizon network….that being said as I use both often and the Droid is a far cry from the iPhone. If Verizon ever get’s the iPhone (which is not looking good with the latest deal Jobs made with AT&T for the $29.99/month service on the iPad) I would switch in a heartbeat as then I could use just one phone. The biggest complaint I have on the Droid (albeit again a nice device for those stuck on Verizon) is it just pales in comparison to the iPhone in basic usability on a daily basis. Using the touchscreen for example has always been more pleasurable and accurate experience for me on the iPhone than the Droid. Especially noticeably while using the on-screen keyboard as the letters are pretty small so touch-screen accuracy is key.
I recently read an article from Moto Development Group that confirmed there are significant mearsuable differences in the accuracy of the current touch screens on smartphones. Watch the video below for details but the bottom line is the iPhone was most accurate followed by the HTC phones (the Nexus One and the Droid both Android devices) then came the Palm Pre, the Motorola Droid (almost a tie) and just a bit worse and rounding up the bottom the BlackBerry Storm 2.
I’m sure you will see these technologies improve fast as this was the first touch-screen for some of these companies but I can tell you from experience this is a pretty important part of your daily use. Until next time…Max-out
I just watched this video from the TED2010 and it is worth taking the time if you want a peek into maps of the future…BTW the future is actually here and you can experience some of this new technology at The Latest Version of Bing Maps I love the new Bird’s Eye View which is taken at an angle for great 3-D “sim-city” type of effect. Here’s a shot of downtown Denver using this effect, you can also rotate and of course zoom in and out to get more or less detail. The real magic occurs with the integration of Flickr data and Photosynth (if you have not checked out Photosynth do so now) technology into the maps themselves which give the maps so much more possible information as they actually overlay photos that you or consumers take (with Geocoded data) and upload to Flickr right into the maps. Watch the video and pay attention about 5 minutes in and they demo LIVE video feeds on the map, and the fact that they have imagery INSIDE public buildings. They do this by wearing a backpack camera and the effect is pretty impressive. This kind of technology will change the way consumers experience neighborhoods and therefore the way they shop for real estate……Imagine embedding a Bing map into your website that has integrated geo-coded photos that you uploaded to Flickr so your clients get a compelling visual tour of that area…lots of possibilities. BLOGGERS>>> check out how Bing is integrating local blog posts with The Local Lens App within the new Bing (just look at the bottom right corner of the Bing Map for “Map Apps”). Watch the video…take a breath then play with some of these cool tools….Max
Birds Eye View
Blaise Agüera y Arcas is the architect of Bing Maps at Microsoft, building augmented reality into searchable maps. He’s also the co-creator of Photosynth
Came across a pretty handy device called the Altona AT-HDAir ($219) that allows you to display what is currently on your PC to an HDTV (HDMI or VGA connections) within your real estate office with no cables. It uses wireless technology to transmit whatever you are currently looking at on your PC (laptop or desktop) to an HDTV across the room, on the other side of your desk or even in a conference room next door (needs to be within 30 feet but can transmit through walls). So I can imagine working with a client and either reviewing a contract or viewing properties on MLS/Realtor.com etc and how nice it would be to have your clients looking at a larger display of their own vs. looking over your shoulder or huddling around your laptop. With the prices of HDTV’s continuing to drop you could pick up an HDTV monitor/display for anywhere between $149 and $500 depending on how large of a display you want. Then simply put it on the desk next to you or better yet mount it on your office wall with a bracket that is adjustable and pull it out when you need it.
In the past this was available in lo-res but now it’s available in HD (720p) and it also will broadcast audio along with the video. You simply plug a small USB transmitter into your laptop/desktop PC (Windows only at this time) and then have the receiver located near your larger HDTV.
Or how about hooking this up to a large HDTV in your near-bye conference room so many agents could enjoy a webinar together?
By the way I will be having another advanced social networking webinar soon watch my fan page on Facebook for webinar announcements.
Ok I knew from the moment it was unveiled by Steve Jobs that I wanted one of these “giant iPhones” in my hands. So when the announcement came late Thursday that you could pre-order them on 3/12 I was up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed ready to click the order button on Apple.com but then I was stuck with the dilemma of “which one?” I mean there are lots of options 16gb, 32gb, 64gb, with and without 3G…..hmmmmm what to do. Well here’s what I ended up ordering and why, not because it’s what I think is best, it’s just best for me.
First decision memory size – I chose the 32GB model mainly because I have had the 32GB version of the iPhone 3GS and have never had it more than 1/2 full with my normal usage which includes on average a 1,000 songs, 8 to 10 video podcasts, another 20 misc short videos and a movie or two that I rotate on and off the phone. So 32GB seemed sufficient for my needs….I know it’s hard to not spring for the extra 32GB for just $100 bucks but hey, I got a hunch there will be an updated version of this baby within 6 to 9 months that will have a front facing video camera and some other cool feature so I thought I could rotate this one to my wife or one of my daughters and pick up the extra memory with new version of the iPad (which will most likely by 128GB by then as well).
Ok so now how about the 3G option…..well as much as I think the 3G would be very handy for quick connections to the web I went with the wi-fi only version for a couple reasons.
#1 I want this thing BAD and really couldn’t see myself waiting another month or so…I’m just being honest.
#2 I already have a mi-fi 2200 from Verizon wireless as my mobile broadband connection device. This device allows me to connect to the Verizon 3G data network then easily connect up to 5 devices to this device via wi-fi which means 5 devices can share a single 3G connection. Although I rarely use more than one device connected to the MiFi it does give me some great flexibility. I can use with multiple laptops/netbooks while traveling (sometimes my wife or one of my daughters will have there laptop and want to connect for email Facebook etc at the same time). It also has allowed me to connect my iPhone wirelessly when the AT&T network is bad in a particular area. I know someone will say “Yea but you pay more than you would if you bought the 3G service from AT&T for the iPad” yea I know but I already have this device and like the flexibility it offers so why pay for another 3G data connection. I will just turn on my MiFi and connect my iPad through it to the web when a “true wi-fi” is not available near me. So it’s the 32GB, wi-fi only model that I ordered.
I’m sure the tech savvy folks over at Tech Savvy Agent will be talking about this device quite a bit in the future as well. I really feel it could be a “game-changer” for our industry if the right people step forward and develop great Real Estate related apps for it!
I will be posting a full review and lots of photos and video once I get it in my hot little hands…take care.
Seen this device recently won and award for best of show at a recent Macworld conference. It’s basically a new outlet that would replace one (or all if you really wanna go all out) of your normal three prong grounded AC outlets. These new outlets actually have a transformer built-in so you can plug 2 standard USB charging cables (5V- iPhone, iPod, Droid etc) directly into them and still use 2 standard three-prong AC plugs. They are made by FastMac but would work fine with any USB charging device. Kinda cool if your looking to remodel or just tired of looking for that charging adapter. For more info click on the photo.
I am often asked what kind of computer I use/recommend. For years I was a dedicated PC/Windows user and I have owned at least 15 laptops and netbooks over the past 20 years, from IBM Thinkpads (my first IBM Thinkpad cost me over $7,000) to many Dell Notebooks, Sonys, Toshibas, HPs and the list goes on and on. Most recently I enjoyed a short stint with one of the Samsung Netbooks which gave me small form factor for traveling with great battery life but came at the cost of performance and speed. Well for the past 6 months I have enjoyed an entirely new computing experience and that is using a MacBook Pro from Apple. The primary reason I was drawn to the Macbook was my positive experience with the iPhone. I bought my first iPhone the day it came out (June 27th 2007) and I have owned every new model and never been so impressed with a mobile phone (or mini computer for that matter). Based on this positive experience I thought I would like to try the MacBook for my next laptop, the problem was as many of you, I was afraid there would be too many Windows programs I would need to run so for a year or so I just couldn’t make the leap. Then I was on a flight and sat next to a gentleman using a MacBook and he was running Windows XP on it…..hmmm I asked him about it and he said there were still a couple of programs he runs in Windows but loved the MacBook and Mac OS for 90% of what he does so he installed Windows on his MacBook using a built-n technology on the MacBooks called “Bootcamp“. He let me play around with his MacBook on that flight and I was hooked. So for the past 6 months or so I have been using the MacBook Pro 13″ and I got to say it’s been everything I hoped it would be and more. I find myself using Windows very rarely now but if need be I can boot into Windows XP or I recently I installed Parallels desktop for Mac and then loaded Windows 7. So now I can be using the Mac and just pop open Parallels and run a Windows program (mls access with ie explorer etc) right within the MAC OS and it is very fast. Awhile back I shot short Tech Tip video (edited on a Mac by the way, super easy) describing the MacBook running Windows I thought I’d share.
If you use Craigslist.org you need to watch this video. Many agents are using ads on Craigslist that are not really relevant to what consumers are searching for. For example go to the real estate section on Craigslist in your local market and type in “has the market stabilized” or “price trends” or MLS stats” or “market update” think like a consumer not like a Realtor. What do consumers want to know most right now? In many cases they simply want to know that is it safe to buy. Many people are sitting on the fence waiting for the “bottom” of the market do you have a system that automatically updates consumers and educates them on relevant market data that comes directly from your MLS 24 hrs a day 7 days a week? If not you may want to look into “Market Snapshot” from Realtor.com and Top Producer. This system delivers accurate MLS data on the market conditions direct from your MLS to the consumer (from you) and allows you to generate a consistent lead flow by offering this info to customers on sites like Craigslist, Facebook, Twitter, your website etc. Watch this video for tips on setting this up on Craigslist.
As many of you know I have been spreading the words about magnetic wide angle lenses for a few years now. In the past I had even recommend a company call (don’t buy here www.magneticlenses.com) as a place for you to buy these add-on Wide-Angle Lenses for your Digital Camera. I stopped recommending this site early this year after hearing from several agents that they were charged and did not receive the lenses they ordered. A few months ago I even starting spreading the warning regarding this company. I have no affiliation with them and just want everyone to know (I just received an email from agent who ordered on 12/18/09) that they appear to be operating fraudulently based on the feedback from all the agents that have emailed me. Buyer Beware. You can still find the magnetic lenses at www.amazon.com and I’m sure other online retailers.
Sorry for any bad experienced you may have had with this company.
I have been talking about this idea for about 18 months now and been sharing it with agents that attend my sessions. I thought it was time to let all those that want to know how to create this powerful presence on Facebook.
Click here for instructions
Also here is a link to a video that will walk you through the steps….
Best of luck to you with Facebook and please feel free to share your success stories, I am now updating my presentation for 2010 and may be able to feature you if you don’t mind me sharing your success with other agents as we travel the country.
