John Herman at Gizmodo writes an article informing us that in Apple Appstore in october the number of books released was bigger than applications, though is increasing the number of people spamming or releasing same copies of public domain books (full article at http://gizmodo.com/5395396/iphone-ebooks-the-new-fart-apps).

I agree on everything said. Selling crappy versions of public domain books is easy, costless and could get some cash.

I’m surprised that Apple authorizes this.

Though I’m quite convinced that if  books will be sold on App store with a kindle like approach and with App store prices, this would be a great channel for  selling.

This post as a comment also at http://gizmodo.com/5395396/iphone-ebooks-the-new-fart-apps

A technologicial tidal wave recently hit shores in the form of Universal Remote Control’s MX-5000 remote, the world’s FIRST remote with haptic (or tactile) feedback, and the one esteemed Gizmodo technology pundit John Herman described with the statement:

“For every five products that claim some kind of haptic feedback support, maybe one actually puts it to good use—like the URC MX-5000 touchscreen remote, which uses the technology to guide your fingers while they guide your TV.” 

In case you didn’t know, haptic is defined by all-knowing Wikipedia as, “technology that interfaces with the user through the sense of touch.” From Slashgear to Ubergizmo, Engadget, CNET, Crunchgear and of course the originator, CE Pro, everyone seems to be happy about haptic and  its potential.

Given the love, I thought we’d look at products where haptic technology fails and bask in the sensory awkwardness since none can hold a tactile candle to the MX-5000. To my knowledge, no company has had the lack of foresight to develop any of these products, but then again, someone did invent this:

Appeared in June 1936 Popular Mechanics

Worst Haptic Products

Haptic Coasters – Violent vibrations let you know your drink is not leaving sweat rings on the table

Haptic Bandages- Healing quickly is a thing of the past, haptic bandages make sure your wounds stay fresh and open for days

Haptic Hair-cutting Shears – For a TRULY original look

I think we found our spokesperson.

Haptic Lipstick – For that “putting make-up in the car” experience everywhere you go

Haptic Fryin Pan – A shaking motion sloshes oil on you to advise when the pan is hot enough

Haptic Chess Board – Ok, this might be kind of cool, kind of like the old Stratomatic football games

Haptic Undergarments – Don’t like where this is going…or do I?

Haptic Syringes – For hospital use only of course, patients will know their skin has been penetrated with a discomforting buzz

Posted by: Nick B.

@PRnick 

Full Disclosure: Universal Remote Control is a client of Caster Communications

The track “Horseography” from Humanatone was used in the latest Ford Fiesta Movement video by “Agent 54” (John Herman).  He took the Fiesta up to the top of the Mount  of Washington, highest peak in the Northeast and home to the world’s worst weather.  Watch as the Talented Mr. Herman’s fear of heights is tested!  Witness the bravery of his intrepid wife!  Breathe in the pastoral themes evoked by the music!

Here’s the whole song

This is kind of old news, but the lead-off track from Humanatone entitled “Falling Down The Stairs” was recently featured in a video by Mr. John Herman.  Herman entered this video as part of Ford’s Fiesta Movement.  He was selected as one of 100 “agents” who will be among the first Americans to test drive the new Ford Fiesta.  He can now be located anywhere in The Shire in his (almost) one of a kind vehicle.  See him and the JohnHermantourage in the video below.

There’s a story in John Herman’s book “Hermanisms: Axioms for Business & Life” about Milton Hershey, the founder of the Hershey’s milk chocolate bar. It seems that Hershey was headed down the road of failure early on. Everyone around him, including his investors, had lost hope after his attempts at building a confectionary, first in Philadelphia, then Chicago, then in New York all failed before he returned to Lancaster, Penn. But Hershey believed. He persisted. In time the Hershey bar was born. But when success came, more seemed to be at play then making loads of money.

Perseverance is sweetest at the finish line!

In Herman’s words, “…in addition to stick-to-itiveness, Hershey possessed another trait common among entrepreneurs: that when they finally hit the big time, they often want to share their success with others. To a real entrepreneur, it isn’t about making money. It’s about winning. Being right about your idea. Seeing the realization of your dream. The money is great, and is something you can share, but it doesn’t offer nearly the same satisfaction as accomplishing your goals. Don’t quit on your goals because you didn’t achieve them the first time around.”

While there are job cuts all around us and numerous small shops are taking down their shingles and the owners shuttering their hearts, it’s important to keep your dreams (and heart) alive. Don’t give up!

Charles

http://www.charlesguptonphoto.com
On Twitter @ http://twitter.com/CharlesGupton

Would you like to view a high definition video of The Glynn House? Check out our home page – www.glynnhouse.com.  Alternately, just click on blip.tv/file/1267881/  Do you like what you see? Please let us know. You might want to tell the man who shot and edited the film too.

Videographer John Herman – http://johnherman.org/ – is the creative talent who filmed and edited our Glynn House Inn video. We’re delighted by his work and hope to arrange a return engagement during the winter months. 

i love unconferences because i usually run into cool folks doing interesting things quietly on and off of the radar. i was not disappointed this weekend when i attended the second day of podcampnyc (april 25 and april 26) at polytechnic university in brooklyn, nyc.

i enjoyed john herman’s presentation on using multi-media in school. the most interesting part of the lecture centered around challenges faced when attempting to integrate popular, feature-rich web applications in the classroom; often due to “i don’t get it” attitudes by administrations in youth-serving entities including public schools and libraries.

perhaps my favorite presentation was the very last session i attended. hip hop association presented a podcast demo using us, the audience, as the live recording guinea pigs (in a good way). it seemed most people were familiar with how to create a podcast, but it was a fun activity.

personally speaking, the most interesting portions of dialog came after the “official” recording. for instance, we all noted the unusually large presence of black, tech-savvy entrepreneurs, connectors and activists in attendance (at least for the session), which too often seems lacking in respectable numbers at similar conferences. post-dialog interaction touched upon the one laptop per child initiative, open source, equity investing in black-owned enterprise, social enterprise, community development and incubation. of course, given the sean bell-shooting verdict had been released the previous day, there were discussions around viable solutions in addressing community concerns through the resources we already provide or could be created.

a very unassuming, humble and baby-faced bill cammack recorded the session which is available here. thanks bill!

NewTeeVee has an interview with John Herman, the creator of the new web series Gravityland.

“With Gravityland there are so many ways for viewers to get involved that it recreates that feeling for me. It is a new level of intimacy that I don’t think is representative in a lot of entertainment.”

The idea is to give viewers multiple ways to interact with the cast and the story.  The interview is a good read but I have to say I was not especially taken with the two episodes of Gravityland that have been posted so far.  They remind me of early indie film, but not in an especially good way.