Apple needs to take a page out of YouTubes book

I've been a big believer in the App Store since day 1, but I am becoming frustrated with a few things.

1. The "top apps" feature only has the recent Apps. Apple needs an option like YouTube has for videos. The App Store needs an "all-time" App section.

2. It is being abused. Developers have caught on to a flaw in the App Store. They are releasing great Apps for free, but once they gain popularity and reach the Top Ten list, they charge for the App. Seems like a great way for developers to cut through the clutter, but leaves users frustrated.

3. Apple needs a more efficient roll-out of new Apps. We all know music and movies come out on Tuesdays, but is anyone sure about Apps? They seem to come and go from the featured tab randomly.

McCain/ Palin - Genious or Risky?

John McCain has picked Alaska Senator Sarah Palin for his VP running mate. What does this mean for the GOP ticket? Message boards are already showing the polarization of opinions:

"This (decision) is an insult to women"

"Go Palin!! She has been an awesome governor and will be a great VP."

"Sarah Palin is not Hillary Clinton. "

"American politics hasn't seen integrity like Sarah Palin before..."

Will McCain's choice prove wise or will it backfire? I personally have mixed feelings. I can see how she may be a good choice based on her past signs of bold commitment to her beliefs, but her lack of long term experience will be pointed out by Obama's campaign. While this move probably won't capture all of the Hillary supporters, it is a strong move with the intention of creating buzz for McCain.

Facebook A Movie?

According to BBC News, Aaron Sorkin, writer of the first four seasons of West Wing and several movies, is working on writing a movie about Facebook. In the interview he was quoted saying, "I honestly don't know how it works" and goes on to say that the first step was to open a Facebook account of his own. Aaron (actually his research assistant) also started a Facebook group where Facebookers can go and leave feedback and comments for him to aid in the research efforts.

This is quite possibly the worst idea I have heard in a while. You better believe I joined his Facebook group and left my comment. He admitted it himself - he doesn't understand Facebook. If he did, Sorkin would understand that it cannot be made into a good movie. As far as I can tell, there is nothing about Facebook that would make a compelling storyline that could sustain a movie.

5 easy steps on how to get sued as a blogger

1. Create a blog. (www.antiquiet.com)
2. Post content that attracts people. (music reviews and news)
3. Take a CD that has been in the making for over a decade and stream the tracks online. (Guns N' Roses "Chinese Democracy")
4. Get massive traffic on your blog. (Servers overloaded)
5. Get arrested. (at 6:59am in your pajamas)

A blogger who goes by the name Skwerl has been arrested for streaming 9 tracks off Guns N' Roses unreleased album Chinese Democracy. If convicted, he faces up to 5 years in prison. Read the article from the Smoking Gun and follow updates from Skwerl's associates here.

AMC: kicking the old marketing habbit

AMC's show about an advertising agency set in the '60s, Mad Men, has been causing a commotion on Twitter. Three of the characters have accounts on Twitter and have been giving updates. The thing is, AMC didn't create those accounts and doesn't know who did.

AMC got worried that someone was representing characters on their show and was concerned about what they might published. AMC then filed a DMCA takedown notice of the Twitter accounts.

It is my belief that AMC definitely jumped the gun and panicked with the Twitter accounts. Why they took it down: they couldn't control the message. Why they should have never taken it down: free publicity. They eventually restored the Twitter accounts with some convincing from their marketing team.

Interesting side note - by ordering the suspension of the Twitter accounts and then reinstating them, Mad Men has received a lot more publicity than if the Twitter accounts were left alone.