Microsoft: Notify Your Next Of Kin

While Verizon's recent price drop on the Microsoft Kin isn't necessarily the nail in the coffin for the social media-focused phone, it does signal that the handset may be in critical condition.

The Kin's struggle doesn't really surprise me, and there are 3 reasons why it's time for Microsoft to start the grieving process.

1. Not very app-ealing.

Even though the phone itself is aimed at the social media savvy, it has no apps. The problem is that apps have become the new mobile phone staple. App development is becoming a legitimate industry in its own right, and the Kin wasn't able to capitalize.

2. Cheap phone, steep plan.

You would think that a phone without smartphone capabilities would at least be able to cut down on service costs, right? Unfortunately not, with the $30 phone requiring a $7o monthly data plan. And although I really like the design of the Kin (especially the turtle-like Kin 1), the price was just too much for a phone without apps.

3. No Android? No iOS? No thanks.

Apps are important in a mobile phone, but the operating system is even more important. Right now, anything that doesn't run on the Android or iPhone operating systems is going to have a very difficult time gaining ground in this market.

Maybe that will change when Microsoft launches their Windows Phone 7 OS in a few months, but for now they might as well say their goodbyes to devices like the Kin.

Axiom's Going To The Dogs

Despite what this blog may suggest, our biggest passion here at Axiom isn't social media or technology trends. When we go home at the end of the day, many of us are greeted by our pets...especially dogs.

And with today being National Take Your Dog To Work Day, we decided to take some time to show some office-wide appreciation for our favorite furry friends.

But since building regulations wouldn't allow the dogs to run around here at the office, we are meeting later on today at 3pm at Centennial Lakes Park in Bloomington to let the dogs meet and play.

So if you're in the area and want to stop by, feel free to come meet the dogs behind Team Axiom or bring a four-legged friend of your own.

I'm sure it's going to be a fun afternoon, and I'm still thinking of a way to sneak my dog Buck underneath my desk one of these days.

Facebook Gives Twitter An App-Kicking

The story that broke yesterday about Twitter's Facebook app (which allows you to automatically follow your Facebook friends) didn't take long to dominate the social media news headlines.

It also didn't take Facebook long to slap the idea down.

Many social media junkies, myself included, were looking forward to seeing some real integration between the two social networking giants. However, the move by Facebook shows that this power couple is not going to happen anytime soon.

Twitter has yet to issue any sort of response, but my guess is that they won't be pleased with Mr. Zuckerberg. More importantly, we could see Twitter making more efforts to integrate other smaller social networks to offer some real competition between the two.

We'll Leave The 'Like' On For You

Now that more people are taking vacations rather than stay-cations, the hospitality industry is focusing less on just surviving and more on competing and thriving.

And lately, we're seeing more and more hotels working to build buzz and get room bookings rather than worrying about the dollars themselves.

For instance, I just read how the Hyatt Regency Cambridge is offering customers a chance for free Wi-Fi for one night. The catch? You have to "like" them on Facebook.

This move by Hyatt just goes to show the extent to which hotels will go to establish a social media presence. And considering the per-night charge for Wi-Fi at the Hyatt is $12.95, they are essentially paying 13 bucks for a Facebook like.

This could prove to be a good move on Hyatt's part, but considering how many hotels are offering free Wi-Fi already, it's hard to say how this promotion will play out.

What we do know is that the decline of the stay-cation should signal the rise of the hospitality industry.

What's The Next Chapter For E-Readers?

Since it's Monday I thought I'd look at what's going on in the world of technology, and one story in particular stood out to me. Barnes & Noble dropped the price of their Nook e-reader and released an even-cheaper Wi-Fi Nook as well.

Some people are saying this is the beginning of a heated e-reader war, but I'm not convinced.

The major theme in technology over the last couple of years has been devices with multiple capabilities. I mentioned it in a post last week about the gaming industry, and it holds true here.

I think it's a good move on B&N's part that will hopefully push other e-readers to innovate, but I don't know if it's enough to keep the market afloat long term. Tablets have been hailed as an e-reader killer since before their release, and the early success they've had points to that being the case.

I do think that the Nook has the best chance of success versus the Sony Pocket Reader or the Amazon Kindle, because it's being marketed and sold in the stores themselves. That's a smart move because it's capitalizing on their existing demographic that's already passionate about reading and loyal to the brand.

Only time will tell if this move will lead to continued success, or if newer multi-function mobile devices will close the book on the e-reader market.