One Kings Lane Starts Retail War

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I realize I live in a bubble - a superior tech bubble where we get the best of the best before any of you do. Thanks to the 3 degrees that connects Club Silicon Valley, we also witness the battles underneath the covers of successful startups. Battles that are often kept quiet if enough distraction is produced by Techcrunch or Venturebeat.

Right now, inside this bubble are cheers for One Kings Lane. The company has raised $113M in funding in the past 24 months with some big names opening up their wallets. Both Marissa Mayer (CEO, Yahoo) and Reid Hoffman (Founder, LinkedIn) have invested in the company.

One Kings Lane holds online flash sales lasting only 72 hours on elegant, top of the line home decor including furniture, rugs, candles, and other housewares. But that's only half the excitement. The site has also opened up access to pricey, designer-labeled inventory typically only available after price inflation via interior designers.

But not everyone is thrilled. 

I spoke with an insider who’s been both a buyer and a designer sales rep and worked with retailers such as Restoration Hardware and Macy’s. According to my source, “One Kings Lane is really pissing people off.”

The flash sales site is capturing leftover stock from pricey designers eager to get rid of inventory while big retailers are actively trying to sell the same pieces at full price. Anger mounts and the designer becomes a casualty of retail war sometimes losing contracts worth millions.

Is it a fair price to pay for innovation? For you and I, sure it is! However, ruffling designers’ feathers in this cat and mouse game is dangerous....for the designer anyway. On one hand, no hot, pricey designer aims to become a discount feature on a website. On the other hand, sites like One Kings Lane have a remarkable way of selling large quantities of inventory within hours. A designer has to roll the dice and hope big retailers will still buy from them next season instead of blackballing them as a discount traitor. So the question becomes: “To Sell Out or Not To Sell Out”

With internet retail trends on the rise, I have no doubt One Kings Lane will come out on top. Afterall I did see Neiman Marcus in Target the other day. What I’m more excited to watch is the bitter girl fight that will continue to brew between big retailers and designers.

But of course you won’t read about any of THAT on Techcrunch or Venturebeat.

3 Apps Help Ease Shopping Pitfalls

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It’s time to get mobile!  I’m arming you with the some savvy mobile apps to help you navigate the crowds, earn free rewards, and save money.  Personally, I can’t stand malls.  I worked inside one for nearly a decade.  However, if I have to venture out to retail jail these apps save me time and money.

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POINT INSIDE
“A Strategic ‘In & Out’ Plan”

With this app you can plan your shopping trip from parking to shop route.  This app covers hundreds upon hundreds of malls across the U.S. giving users an inside glance before leaving the house.  The app also shows you what stores are offering additional discounts.

- View an interactive site map of the mall to find where your target stores are located.
- Choose parking based on store location.
- Always know where food, restrooms, ATMs, and escalators are.
- Use the tag button to discover additional discounts at various stores.

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SHOPKICK
“Treat Yourself While Shopping”
http://www.shopkick.com/

You walk into Macy’s = 100 kickbucks

You buy a nice robe for mom = 400 kickbucks

Congrats! You’ve earned a free cappuccino.

It’s that simple.  The more kickbucks you earn the more rewards you can choose from.
Shopkick has partnered with Macy’s, Best Buy, Target, Starbucks, Coach, Old Navy and so many others to bring you rewards while you shop.  With a newly developed partnership with VISA and MasterCard, any purchase you make on your credit card inside Shopkick-partnered stores will be rewarded with kickbucks.
 
But how do they know??!! 
It's not via GPS. 
Shopkick's location technology is embedded into a store's audio system or via a transmitter. An inaudible signal is sent out and picked up by your phone once you're inside.

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SHOPSAVVY
“Are you sure that’s the best price?”
http://shopsavvy.mobi/

This app is the ultimate in price comparison shopping.  Simply take a picture of the barcode of the item you want to buy and Shopsavvy will tell you where to get it at the cheapest price near your current location.  If you don’t need it in hand that day you can also compare the item’s online price and order it for later.  Reviews of the item are also accessible from within the app.

A nice extra perk - store all of your rewards cards inside the app.  All those annoying grocery store keychain rewards cards that you can’t stand can be uploaded into the app for use whenever you need them.

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If this can’t save you time and money then you may want to ask for a smartphone tutorial from your kids this holiday.

3 Transcendent Gift Ideas

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Before you get excited I gotta break some bad news. None of these are available for this holiday season. They’re beta or Kickstarter-backed products that you’ll likely have to wait until 2013 for. I know, I know...it’s such a tease! But at least I give you something to look forward to!

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PRIVATES: The TSA Proof Underwear
"Oh No You Didn't Just See My Privates"
http://www.betabrand.com/privates-underwear.html

It's time to take back our "parts". With help from a surveillance expert, Betabrand is developing Privates, a TSA-proof undergarment capable of distoritng body scanner images of whatever it covers.

From boxers to briefs and bras to panties, it's a full line of security approved underwear giving travelers back their dignity. Because their approach doesn’t overuse scanner-blocking materials, the garments are OK to wear through airport scanners without an additional frisky-frisk.

But, HEY, if you're REALLY proud to show it off keep wearing those Hanes. I'm sure TSA will continue to enjoy your swag.

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EVERPURSE
"From 0 to 100 Twice Daily"
https://everpurse.com/

Ever-chatting >> Ever-texting >> Ever-surfing >> EVERPURSE!

The wire-free charging station has just met The Clutch and it's bound for happily EVERPURSE after. This Kickstarter project more than doubled its goal of $100,000 by gaining 1,400+ backers and raising a total of $238,187.

The Everpurse has a mini wireless docking station inside the clutch that delivers 2 full recharges per use to your iPhone or Galaxy. What's even cooler is the wireless charging it gets at the end of the day. Simply toss the clutch on the charging mat and walk away. It uses inductive charging to send energy wirelessly from the mat to the purse.

Thanks to their success on Kickstarter, the team is now drowning in manufacturing mode - great news for us! Everpurse can be pre-ordered for Spring 2013 delivery.

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ROMO THE ROBOT
"Private Eye, Play Buddy, Pet"
http://romotive.com/meet-romo#meet-romo

Romo is a remote controlled robot following your every command through the Romo iPhone App. Romo can spy on those near it, play hide-and-seek, and make someone laugh using expressions and behaviors.

Using the front camera of the iPhone, a webcam feed can be seen from the device you control Romo from. Behavioral sounds and facial expressions are seen and heard from Romo as it travels around.

Another project funded through Kickstarter, Romo far exceeded both Kickstarter goals it posted. Romo can be pre-ordered for March 2013 delivery.

Flights, Layovers, Crowds - Get Excited!

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Bring on the crying babies, obnoxious teenagers, and looooooong security lines. We’re kicking off the holiday travel season this week and I’m giving you three reasons to turn that frown upside down. The innovators and entrepreneurs of today have not forgotten about you, the easily annoyed frequent flyer, and are working to dish up some must-haves to ease the travel ulcer.

EXTRA TIP: Nanny in the Clouds (http://nannyintheclouds.com/)
Connecting traveling families with traveling nannies. She meets you at the curb, entertains your kids, and keeps them from screaming, kicking, and fighting for as long as your heart’s content.

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HOP!
“Don’t Touch Me...I’m Rollin’ thru JFK”
http://cargocollective.com/ideactionary#hop

Go ahead and pack all those shoes ladies cuz HOP! is the hands-free luggage you've been waiting for. Connecting through your bluetooth, HOP! follows you as you make your way through the airport terminal. Stolen, lost, or stuck - the suitcase automatically locks itself and your phone vibrates to let you know you've lost your friend.  Currently shown as a prototype, HOP! is not available yet but it’s a glimpse of what’s to come before Holiday-Fiasco 2013.

No it can't climb stairs - stop asking for so much!

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SILVERCAR
“Excuse Me, But I Only Rent Audis”
https://www.silvercar.com/

It's about time we had a reason to ditch the rental car lines and bottom of the barrel array of KIAs.  Fresh off an $11M funding round, Silvercar has incorporated your smartphone into the rental car fiasco. NO MORE LINES. NO MORE AGENTS. Instead, a fresh, new Audi waiting for you in the parking lot.

$$$$ Ya but for how much $$$$
The Promise: equivalent to renting a full-size sedan at any rental counter.

Your Silver Audi already knows your payment details, your favorite XM stations, and your hotel destination.  No refilling the tank!  The car calculates how much to charge you based on distance traveled and charges your credit card connected to the Silvercar phone app.

DAMN YOU TEXAS!
For now, Silvercar is only available in Dallas but consumer adoption should be immediate. I know I can’t wait!

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APP IN THE AIR
“Fly Smarter”
http://www.appintheair.mobi/

I have a 4 hour layover in Seattle this coming holiday and thanks to this app I have lots of things to do. App in the Air serves up the usual smartphone travel perks - flight check in, delay notifications, tips for flying - but the features about the airport are what you’ve always wanted during a layover or a long security wait (wifi status, food, shopping, lounges).

Days before your flight, the app begins a countdown for check-in, boarding, takeoff, and landing. Any changes to your flight are automatically fed through the app giving you immediate insight into delays, gate changes, and terminal pickup.

But that all seems rather standard to me and is not the reason I continue to feed my travel plans into this app. Thanks to App in the Air’s subscriber base, when I get to Seattle this Thanksgiving I’ll have 4 hours to get a manicure, a massage, or head to downtown which is only a train ride away. There’s even insight on the best eateries inside the airport (hello Chocolate Cafe!)

- Packing list included or create your own
- More Airport Features: weather status, currency converter, power outlet locations, security gate tips
- Flight Map shows you the travel route

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Final Thoughts
-       There’s no replacement for earplugs.
-       Moms always carry hand sanitizer.
-       $5 tips for flight attendants benefit everyone.

Happy Traveling!
 

How to Make Other People's Money

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RUN! THE HOLIDAYS ARE COMING....RUN!

Unfortunately, you can't run and you can't hide.
But you CAN find new ways to pay for all that holiday cheer.

"Take me to the airport - $8"
"Take a picture of a local business - $5"
"Create an itinerary for me in LA - $20"
"Stand in line at the Apple store - $50"
"Take our family portrait - $75"

These are just some of the money making tasks created by communities within Sidecar, Gigwalk, Rewarder, and Taskrabbit - all up and coming startups finding ways for people to connect and get stuff done. So turn that holiday frown upside down, start burning off that dreaded Holiday 15 and help a buddy out!

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Sidecar
"Step away from the cab"
http://www.side.cr/

I’m going to the mall...you’re going to the mall. Why don’t I pick you up and you pay me what you think is fair for going out of my way?  That was my premise for signing up for Sidecar. [The pay-what-you-wish model was proved successful by Panera.]

Look, I get it - picking up some stranger sounds like a good start to a Lifetime movie but Sidecar does background checks on all their drivers. Still skirred?  All drivers and passengers are rated by the Sidecar community so you can decline to pick a person up if you don't like what you read.

To register as a driver you must submit your license, insurance, car registration, and complete a video interview.

To become a passenger, download the app, set your location, and chose from the drivers that are available. You'll see a picture of him/her and their car.  You'll even be able to call them. No cash is exchanged. Instead your credit card is charged and the funds are transferred to the driver. BTW - if you're hoping to stiff the drivers BEWARE...your star rating will decline faster than RIM's fiscal year revenue and soon no one will pick you up!

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Gigwalk
"Hiring an Army"
http://gigwalk.com/

Recently, I spent my lunch hour taking pictures of new businesses near me for Microsoft's Bing.
My Earnings = $25   BOO-YOW!

Gigwalk has opened up a new funnel of data with its phone app allowing companies to pay for information.

"Take our Survey"
"Use our Product"
"Do a price check at the store"

It's a paid play on crowdsourcing and it's blowing up all over the U.S.

80,000 Gigs were completed in photography in 6 months.
1000 shoppers were surveyed in one month.

If you haven't downloaded the app you're missing out on what others are raking in.

130,000 people have done more than 180,000 jobs across all 50 states

So get crackin' !!

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Rewarder
"Please find Fluffy. I miss her."
http://rewarder.com/

Ace Ventura, Pet Detective, would be out of business by now thanks to Rewarder, a community website for those searching for lost pets, vintage cars, and yes, even Navy Seal trainers.

On the one hand, sure, you might actually find a reward you can fill, but on the other hand, just a quick visit to the website could provide some much needed humor:

"$100,000 Reward for bringing me a buyer for a U.S. Virgin Island development"
"$2 Reward for a good pomegranate sauce recipe"

There's some quirky, crazy rewards out there but, HEY, you might be that one person with the solution.

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TaskRabbit
"I'll pay you to do my errands so I can sit on my ass"
https://www.taskrabbit.com/

And for everything else you could possibly pay someone to do there's Taskrabbit. I have yet to use this site because, well honestly, I don't want to move your funiture, construct your babycrib, or shop for your grandma's groceries. But I'm confident that lots of you out there do and people are more than willing to pay you for it.

Inside this app you'll find an array of tasks for which you can bid to complete them. The lowest bidder wins the task.

All users are background checked, submit essays, and complete video interviews and although it sounds time-consuming it's not. If it were, then 2,000 people would not have signed up to complete 9,000 tasks per month would they?

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Sooooooooooooo....

Gas up the car.
Charge the phone.
Make some dough.

Bibo - The Drink Discovery App [Interview]

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I can’t recall how I stumbled upon Bibo. The only thing I remember seeing is “drink discovery app” and my mouse took over. It’s fun to try new concoctions and with Bibo now I'll know where to find what I want.

I had a chat with Natan, one of three co-founders of the app, to find out the details of this not-yet-released discovery app and "go behind the scenes" of their development. We also learned who drinks more: iPhone users or Android users.

What is Bibo?
Bibo is greek for “to drink”. It's a drink discovery app that allows you to see the different kinds of drinks available around you. People can find new beers, wines, or specialty cocktails they haven't tried before.

I noticed that you considered putting your project through Kickstarter. What held you back from using the crowdfunding site?
We decided since we had the talent in-house we wouldn’t need a large amount of funding to put together a fully functioning app. We surveyed Kickstarter to observe projects similar to ours and monitored the response they were getting. The outcome looked very positive for us so we started it on our own.

What were some of the struggles in getting to market?
Well, because we’ve been doing web consulting on the side, it’s taken us 7 months to develop the app. Finding the time was the biggest challenge and since we’re not getting paid to put this together it was hard to dedicate time to Bibo when we had clients with needs as well.

How is the user recruitment going?
We have over 200 users signed up already. The app isn’t even available for download yet so that’s very encouraging. People are very excited.

When will the Android version be available?
Surprisingly, we found a study indicating that iPhone users drink more than Android users so that’s why we started with the iPhone. Depending on the usage we’ll be incorporating it onto Android phones as well. We’d like to reach 500 users before entering the Android marketplace.

What can fans look forward to seeing inside the Bibo app?
Our goal was to streamline the ratings system. We didn’t think people wanted to spend as much time rating drinks on Bibo as they do rating restaurants on Yelp so we incorporated a much less intensive process. Users upload a photo then rate three associations:  Taste, Presentation, Strength.  Based on those three ratings, an average will result. It shouldn’t take as long as a Yelp review.

Is there a social aspect within Bibo?
Yes. Users can share the drinks they’ve discovered and rated within their Facebook accounts. Within the Bibo app, users can be followed and engaged with as well.

How are restaurants jumping on board to gain exposure through your app?
We’ve encouraged restaurants to upload their drink menu and become a flagship restaurant on Bibo. Because we’re in beta phase this allows them to be the flagship location visible on Bibo in certain areas and gain more visibility to Bibo users.

Do you have any other projects you’re working on?
We’re working on a few side projects actually. At our company office [GoSolid Labs] we installed a Knock Lock where you can enter our office without a key if you use the secret knock. The video is posted on our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/GoSolid.

We also put together JobMango.com which is a job tracking management website. We knew people were mainly using spreadsheets to track all the jobs they applied to and the notes associated with them. We figured there had to be a better way so we launched JobMango. http://www.jobmango.com/

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Natan and his team reside in Seattle and with all of their creativity and enthusiasm it wouldn't surprise me if they land funding on a future project from the likes of Sequoia Capital or Andreessen Horowitz, both currently backing popular consumer sites like Airbnb and foursquare.

Bibo will be available in the App Store beginning late November 2012. However, you can reserve your user name now by visiting their website http://www.biboapp.com/ and registering with your email address.

"Dear Zynga, I Quit"

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Today's news of Zynga's layoffs went viral in a matter of minutes thanks to Justin Maxwell's tweet but let's take a step back and think "Why is this such a shock?"

Sure any company completing layoffs is tragic and in the midst of a struggling economy you might say crippling. However, most of the reports on Zynga's workforce should be a reminder of how incredibly toxic it's been for quite some time. How toxic?

"I watched alcoholism and substance abuse skyrocket, relationships crumble (including my own), people slept on office couches, two developers got divorced, one nervous breakdown," says a Zynga employee.

But you don't need an inside source to pick up on a debilitating fall from grace. All you need are resignations!

 

Don't feel bad for these newly unemployed tech stars. The tech sector they reside in is fiercely competitve in searching for talent. I'm sure they'll land on their feet...or inside Electronic Arts (EA).

 



How I Got 600 Visitors in One Month

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Look Guys & Gals, I'm no blog expert. I wouldn't call myself a marketing guru either. I write what I like and I share it. I'm sure there's a multitude of people that do it better. Afterall I only have 28 Twitter followers.

BUT....

I started my blog one month ago and have received over 600 visits with a weekly total that's increased from 55 to nearly 200 visits per week.

- I don't focus on SEO in my writing.
- I don't force my friends to "like" my blog.
- I didn't purchase 1,000 Twitter BOT followers to make myself look popular.

Instead, I used some good 'ol common sense and a few tools from my technology shed to "get 'er done."  Here are a few tech tips that helped me and will hopefully help you.

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BrandYourself
"Control Your Online Reputation"
http://brandyourself.com/

To fully grasp my online reputation and control what is seen when you search me on Google I turned to BrandYourself.com. After signing up, I linked my blog, Twitter, and LinkedIn accounts to my BrandYourself profile. Immediately my LinkedIn profile and Twitter account rose to #1 and #2 in Google results. Also, I am now able to see who searches my name on Google.

Limits of a free SEO optimization account:
- Limited to 3 uploaded links (I suggest LinkedIn, Twitter, website, or blog)
- View the last 3 people who searched you on Google

Upgrade for $10/month (or $80/year) which includes:
- Unlimited link uploads to be optimized on Google
- View all the people who have found you online

As a free service, I think this is a MUST for anyone trying to promote themselves online. For those of you cleaning up your history of frat parties, beer bongs, and Pam Anderson videos there's little hope for you. Try Reputation.com (backed by Kleiner Perkins) and pray.

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Tweriod
"Start Tweeting When Others Listen"
http://www.tweriod.com/

After gaining a small handful of followers on my Twitter account I used Tweriod to find out the optimum time to post tweets. After linking my Twitter account to Tweriod, a report was generated indicating that the optimum time to reach my followers was between 9am - 10am on the weekends. Sweet, I feel smarter already!

This free service is great for everyone but for professionals the fee-based account is exceptional. Pricing is dependent on the number of followers you have and ranges from $4 - $15. If you can't afford that, I guarantee standing at a freeway off-ramp with a sign "Need proceeds for my Tweriod account" will bring you more than enough Washingtons.

Paid insights include:
- Klout influence graph
- Hourly stats
- Analysis of entire follower base
- Monthly analysis of your followers

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TweetDeck or Hootsuite
"Managing the Mayhem"
http://www.tweetdeck.com/
http://hootsuite.com

Now that you've figured out the best time to tweet it's time to set a recurring schedule of tweets. TweetDeck & Hootsuite have free dashboards with multiple functions that help you:

- Monitor your home feed
- Schedule tweets for future delivery
- Monitor your mentions and direct msgs
- View all your retweets

Why would you NOT use this?!! Thanks to them we can all have a life outside of the Twittosphere.

I'm not going to go into detail on the differences between the two. Luckily someone already has: http://www.myrisedesign.net/blog/social-networking/item/486-tweetdeck-vs-hootsuite-which-twitter-client-is-the-best-marketing-tool.html

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Network, Netwerk, Netwurk
If you enjoy 5 people a week reading your blog or visiting your website then stop here. I'm sure you've produced great content that will attract those people from Popondetta, Papua New Guinea where all great leads come from. <pls sense sarcasm>

For the rest of us, it's time to Blow. It. Up.

Linking your blog to multiple social networks is the winner-winner-chicken-dinner key to exposure. Good News? All of them are free! So glad I don't have to go over the obvious ones - G+, Twitter, Facebook - because you already have those. Right? RIIIIGHT? Here are a few you may not know about...

WattPad
"Connecting the World Through Stories"
http://www.wattpad.com

If your writing skillzzz are purely a leisure activity that you enjoy posting for those 5 Papua New Guineans then this is the place for you. Build a profile and post your stories, blogs, or "Why Won't Lindsey Lohan Disappear" op-eds and link up with others who do the same. Your entries will be added to the 3.2 million stories already posted and will be gazed at during the 1 billion minutes its users spend on the site.  And who knows, you may win at The Watty Awards!

Contently
"Next Generation Publishing"
https://contently.com

Serious Bloggers? This one's for you.
If you think you've got what it takes to call yourself a "Freelance Writer" then you might be popular on this site. Create a profile to showcase all your posts, display the number of words you've written, and gain a network by commenting on others' posts. This site has become an avenue for brands like Best Buy and AMEX to find editorial content and pay freelance writers for their contributions. Now all those nights writing in your underwear might pay off!

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Hey, one more thing...It's pretty clear to me that you're talented, amazing, and intuitive. Afterall you led yourself here...to my blog. So while I've got you here I just want to say that you're also one step ahead of the rest for learning about all this crap. Now go put it to good use!

A Date with Nouveau Tech

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Having spent hundreds of hours on online dating sites I can tell you what works and what doesn't (for starters, guys please keep your shirts ON). Instead of replaying my horrific meetups with recovering alcoholics, I-still-want-her-back divorcees, and "Ooops did I forget to mention I have 7 kids", I'd like to introduce some new technology that might just save you some dating aggravation.

Follow this creative story which introduces new and fun iPhone apps and websites to use in your quest to find  ♥ THE ONE ♥

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Hey there cutie patootie, HowAboutWe (http://www.howaboutwe.com) ...drink some wine at a gallery opening. I love a man who can suggest such a fun date - that's why I chose you on HowAboutWe.com. Finally there's a dating website that's more than just an online profile. Teach me about Art Nouveau, I'll teach you about wine legs.

I'd love to make plans and meetup unless your HowAboutWe profile screams "Psycho-Stalker" in which case I'll politely decline and watch The Notebook.....again.

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YES! I have a date. But what to wear?  Afterall it's a first date. A bad impression could send me back to the Ben & Jerry's tub in the freezer.

Jeans or a dress? Heels or Flats?  This is a job for Blurtopia.  HELP my Blurtopia (http://blurtopia.com/) friends!

(2 image uploads later)

Jeans with heels it is! Jim, Sandy, and Dan all commented that it would make a great first impression. Now THAT'S what I call crowd sourcing!

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I'm getting pretty excited about this date because it's been on my bucket list for quite some time. I'm curious though what type of planner you are. Will you be late for our first date? Let's Twist (http://www.twist.com/) and find out.

It's fairly easy so if you can't figure it out we're likely not a good match. I only have room for one blonde in my life.  Open Twist, select the location, choose my number, and Twist away. You won't need to send me texts while you're driving - that's Twist's job. If you're running late I'll probably know before you do.

Turns out your ETA was my ETA. See, wasn't that fun?!

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I enjoyed our date. You were funny, smart, cute...that's enough to secure a Round 2. But I'm really confused about your texts. You're sending me mixed signals. Thankfully, HeTexted (http://hetexted.com/) has an entire online community to help me interpret what this means: "I had a great time. Guess I'll see you when I see you."

Verdict: He's Not Into You

Eh, that's ok cuz I Googled you and saw your pictures from Spring Break. WOW, You reeeaaaally like brunettes...A LOT.

Guess it's back to HowAboutWe.com for another fun date from my bucket list.

THE END

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Sorry Android users...for now, HowAboutWe, Blurtopia, and Twist are available for iOS only. HeTexted is available via the web and can be linked to your Facebook and Twitter profiles.

HAPPY DATING!

Discovering Bands, Radio, & Podcasts

By now we've all figured out how to use Pandora & Spotify; and if you haven't yet used IHeartRadio you've had some desire to go to their music festival. But don’t throw in the towel and think that’s the best there is.

Calling all cover bands! I’m coming after you (minus the groupie panty-throwing mentality). Timbre is uniting us wherever I go. One simple tap on the Timbre icon and BOOM an entire list of live music is displayed within 50 miles. My choices for this weekend: the wildly popular Florence & The Machine ($60) or a local blues band Bluestix ($5).

“Tune in Tokyo, Tune In Tokyo” (bonus pts to anyone who can name what movie that’s from) In moving away from Clearchannel (aka IHeartRadio) the masses have a unique alternative via TuneIn which boasts over 70,000 stations from talk to music to sports to comedy including over 2 million podcasts. So yes, you can actually TuneIn to Tokyo.

Podcasts galore. It’s podcastical! Stitcher is your Pandora-esq discovery app for everything outside of music. Podcasts from ESPN, Suze Ormon Show, E! Entertainment, Piers Morgan, Children’s Reading Corner, Gun Rights - the only thing missing is Honey Boo Boo....and thank goodness for that!

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Timbre
"Connecting Fans with Bands"
http://www.timbreapp.com/

I recently went to see a No Doubt cover band and fell back in love with live shows. With an itch to see more live music, I wanted to find shows related to what I liked. Searching by venue was time consuming and mostly disappointing. Then I found Timbre and Timbre found me, literally. The phone app uses your GPS location to connect you to venues with live band performances that meet your preferred genre....which then led me to earplugs.

- Discover new talent
- Preview the artist before heading to the venue
- Enjoy live music close to home minus the outrageous Ticketmaster prices and large crowds
- Find live shows while traveling
- FREE

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Stitcher
"More Than Music"
http://www.stitcher.com/

Thank you Stitcher for bringing The Joe Rogan Experience, Freakonomics Radio, The Adam Corolla Show and about 9,999 other podcasts to my phone (and my car via bluetooth). This app also streams live news stations and recorded bites from radio shows. Put it all together in a discovery app that tailors your listening experience to shows that relate to your interests. News, comedy, sports, gossip - there’s even a children’s read-along station.

- On demand podcasts from a wide variety of genres
- Avoid downloading podcasts to your phone
- Auto-dash availability through SYNC (Ford), IntelliLink (Buick)
- 10,000+ talk shows, radio stations, podcasts
- FREE

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TuneIn
"Everything in the Whole Wide World - except Clearchannel"
http://tunein.com/

With so many unique ways of separating itself from IHeartRadio (IHR), this app brings more to the table than just 70,000 station and 2 million podcasts. From instant iTunes purchasing to rewind capabilities, it seems like TuneIn found everything missing in IHR and gave us what we never thought we always wanted.

- iTunes button lets you buy a song you like instantly
- Pause & rewind as you’re listening
- Record shows as you listen and send a link to friends (Premium account only)
- Search by artist and find interviews, podcasts, & radio stations currently playing their song,
- Preview the current song being played on radio stations as you browse
- Car Mode: easy to use big buttons makes it faster/easier to get to your favorite station
- Reach global radio stations outside of the US
- Keep track of your cell phone data usage in settings
- Set an alarm to a preferred radio station and wake up to a station you like
- FREE

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(PS. The movie reference is Girls Just Wanna Have Fun)

The Refs are Back & Kate Upton's Singing the National Anthem

THE REFS ARE BACK! ThE ReFs ArE BaaaaaaCK! And so I find it necessary to put together my first male-centric blog about....well....the only thing guys care about - FOOTBALL.  

Become an en-THUUZ-iastic fan of your Fantasty Players and your favorite teams with Thuuz's phone app. You'll receive alerts when games are getting good or your Fantasty Players are kicking butt. They'll let you know if the Saints are actually winning.

"Oh ya? Well just wait till I get to work on Monday cuz I'm gonna kick your butt on Facebook."  Drew Brees would LOVE IT if you spent your workday playing his new venture. Wedge Buster has brought your favorite sports games to Facebook, Zynga-style. His team may have beat you on Sunday but you will annihilate him at QB Attack on Monday. GAME ON!

They say they're "in" for group tickets. They act like they can pay for them. So why are you not AT the game?! PayByGroup shows exactly who those flakes are by way of their group payment collection website. No more nagging for money. Time to see who the real fans are.

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Thuuz
"Quick Turn on the game, Kate Upton's Singing the National Anthem in her Bikini"
http://www.thuuz.com/home/

Ok, maybe this app doesn't care about Kate Upton but it sure does care about the "this-will-totally-be-on-Sportscenter-later" moments. Thuuz has made your sports dreams come true with their notification app that sends alerts to your phone when a game is getting good. But it doesn't stop there...customizable features include alerts based on performances by your Fantasty Players and your favorite teams. Ratings of games become customized based on your preferences of what you find exciting.

- 0 to 100 rating produced for every game based on play-by-play data including upsets and comebacks
- Predictive excitement ratings let you know if games might be boring ahead of time
- Red hot meter goes up if a game features one of your favorite teams, fantasy players
- Import your Fantasty Teams from ESPN, Yahoo, CBS, NFL.com, Flea Flicker
- Alert Examples: kickoff, in scoring position, Fantasty match up, scoring plays, comebacks

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Wedge Buster
"You are soooo going down...on Facebook"
http://www.wedgebuster.com/
http://www.facebook.com/#!/WedgeBuster

Drew Brees is IN! Are you? The "Zynga for Sports" company Wedge Busters has picked up funding led by the famous quarterback and a few of his friends like skateboarder Rob Dyrdek. Play sports against your facebook friends or try to top the leaderboard against the entire facebook community.

Fantasty Sportsbook: Bet on the Game, Report your awesome wins to your FB newsfeed
QB Attack: Challenge your friend, choose your QB, try to hit floating helmets
Puck Off: Destroy pucks as they come out on the ice

- Launching on Facebook website, not yet available for mobile
- Over 250,000 users, 100 games
- Facebook "Like" feature on all games shows you which are most popular
- Drawback: ads run at the beginning of a new game

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PayByGroup
"Dude, You Still Owe Me $300 from 2008"
http://paybygroup.com/

Not it! I will not be responsible for buying us all season tickets hoping that you pay me back. Unless we use PayByGroup of course. It's the best way to find out who's serious and who's full of...well, ya know. It's pretty straight forward: You all want season tickets >> You each owe a bazzillion dollars >> You each put in your credit card to PayByGroup >> Money is transferred to the organizer to buy the tickets

- If cash goal is not met no one is charged
- PayByGroup does all the nagging
- Payments are automatically adjusted as more people pay their share
- Great for big tickets items: Vacations, Concerts, Bachelor/ette Parties, Team fees, Cruises, Gifts
- NO FEES! NO FEES! NO FEES!

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"Siri, find me a designated driver"

"Towers here, towers there but cell towers are not everywhere"
OpenSignal lets you see coverage before deciding on a carrier. No wonder my AT&T phone doesn't work here.

"Siri, find me a designated driver" (EPIC FAIL!)
A Siri functionality flaw solved using the StearClear app. The company brings you and your car home at the same rate of using a taxi. And guys, us girls will be much more impressed this way.

"I had a headache 'this big' "
Step aside Excedrin. Parking headaches have disappeared with Parking Panda. The phone app lets you reserve a parking space by location and price. I think I'll save my Excedrin for a Justin Bieber concert.

"May MyForce Be With You...Always"
Kevin Costner becomes a cell phone app. MyForce brings bodyguard-like protection via your cell phone. Immediate responders are dipatched at the tap of a screen already equipped with your location and physical description. That's so 2012...however, I'll miss the biceps and McGyver maneuvers.

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OpenSignal
"No wonder my cell service sucks here!"
http://opensignal.com

Now I know why I've been having so much cell trouble when I moved to the Bay Area a year ago. AT&T is practically worthless up here. Use this site to find out which carrier has the best signal strength in your area.

- Which carrier is the best in your area
- How strong their signal is
- Only 20 cities loaded up so far

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STEARCLEAR
"I don't think so Mr. Lush. Gimmie those keys."
https://www.stearclear.com/how-use-stearclear

Have too much to drink? Request a pick up via STEARCLEAR, driver quotes are sent to your phone, choose one and they're on their way. The phone app is free and a pick up starts at $20 plus $2.50/mile. MAKE MONEY! Be a driver and earn part-time income.

- GPS centric to locate a team of 2 near you to drive you home
- Drivers are pre-screened
- Premium account lets you pre-book a pickup
- Be a driver and get paid

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Parking Panda
"Saving me a headache one parking spot at a time."
https://www.parkingpanda.com/

2 reasons I don't drive into the city: parking and cost. Parking Panda is my new best friend. Not only can I pre-order a parking spot but I may also save money by planning ahead.

- 24 cities, 4,000+ garages, 500,000+ spaces
- Like/Dislike feature available for rating garages
- Discounts on certain parking garages
- Refunds within 24 hours

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MyForce
"My very own bodyguard? YES!"
http://myforce.com/

Ever feel just a tad nervous when you're walking home at 2am? Or maybe you just wanna feel like J.Lo with your own body guard. Either way - it's here! MyForce has brought an app to your phone which sends any emergency immediately to responders with one simple tap. Health emergencies, burglaries, whatever the situation, you're covered.

- Once the alert is triggered, your phone dims to avoid drawing attention
- Your profile containing health issues and physical description is sent with your alert
- Consistent monitoring of your location
- It's a pretty penny at $120 a year

Why Wasn't This Invented Years Ago

This update is full of "meat and potatoes".  Speaking of potatoes, do you know how far yours has traveled? Yottamark does! Yottamark's HARVESTMARK traces fruits and vegetables back to their source so consumers can wisely pick eco-friendly groceries.

It's time to start that company you've always dreamed of and BigCommerce is going to help you get there. Build your company website, sell products, and start marketing your online store. Sure you can build your company website anywhere but why not have built in SEO, analytics, and app integration courtesy of BigCommerce.

Take a back seat mobile car washers! YourMechanic brings a range of car services to your location - anywhere. Don't wanna get a botched repair job? All their mechanics are ASE certified with at least 10 years experience and all service is backed with a guarantee.

"Going in blind" is NOT what the doctor ordered. Castlight Health brings transparency to healthcare with their online marketplace of doctor reviews, office visit costs, and birthing center recommendations. It's everything you want to know before you go.

Congrats on the home loan - bet that house isn't really turnkey is it?  No sweat because CalFinder is knee-deep in the haystack looking for your needle.  Pools, bathrooms, kitchens - it's a feeding frenzy of qualified, 5-star rated contractors for hire.

Last but not least, don't start planning for their college education without visitng SimpleTuition. You may just find a deal!

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Yottamark's HARVESTMARK
Trace your food back to the source
http://www.harvestmark.com/

By using their free app you'll be able to scan the sticker on fruits and vegetables and view their path to the store. Kroger is currently the only chain participating. If you give them your location they will begin working with stores near you to get the technology into your markets and grocery stores. Send them your location here http://www.harvestmark.com/myfood.aspx#JoinUS

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BIGCOMMERCE
Everything you need to create a successful online store
http://v2.bigcommerce.com/

When you're ready to open your online store it's nice to have a dedicated "guru" there to help you launch, promote and grow your store. Everything is simplified from creating your storefront, configuring your products, to managing your store.

- Helps you dominate on Google via SEO
- Provides you a personal "guru" to aid in the process
- Adds marketing functionality: coupons, promotions, social media, email blasts
- Starts at $25 a month: 100 products, 3 staff logins, 200MB storage, $100 towards Google AdWords

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YOURMECHANIC
Mechanics come to you - wherever you are
https://www.yourmechanic.com/

YourMechanic takes the leg-work out of fixing your car. Tell them what's wrong and they'll shop quotes from their database of pre-screened mechanics. Before accepting a quote you can view their ratings & reviews, service history, and certifications.

- 12 month or 12,000 mile service guarantee
- Mobile Mechanics have at least 10 yrs experience with ASE Certification
- Mechanics have profile pages with reviews and service history
- Side-by-Side price comparison with dealerships & shops

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CASTLIGHT HEALTH
http://www.castlighthealth.com/

A web application that provides consumers with clarity around their healthcare costs, usage, coverage, and choices. Go to the website and watch the Demo. There's tons of additional info.

- View cost before going to the doctor
- See cost & quality of hospitals before you go
- Compare a doctor's cost and see reviews
- See transparency on hospitals: overall patient experience, clinical quality, pregnancy delivery quality
- Your company or insurance provider has to have an account in order for you to use their website

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CALFINDER
http://www.calfinder.com/

CalFinder connects homeowners with home remodeling contractors. Similar to Angie's List.

- Pre-screened remodeling contractors
- Interviews the homeowner to be sure they provide an accurate match
- Follow up with homeowner after the work is done to ensure quality
- Limited types of work (some fix-its but mostly remodeling)

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SIMPLE TUITION
Putting transparency into student loans
http://www.simpletuition.com/

Perhaps a tad late for most of us but good to send to anyone about to start the process.

- Student Loan Comparisons
- Discounts on textbooks
- Tips, advice on planning/paying for college