New Years Eve App

Here is a demo video for the awesome New Years Eve mobile application.  The app gives users the ability to check in, submit photos, access a customizable countdown clock, and (coolest of all in my opinion) view live streaming from Times Square.
To give full disclosure, I helped with the development of the application on behalf of Livestream LLC. 
Here is Mashable's article on the application from yesterday.

Google Buys its Own Building for $1.9 Billion

The old Port Authority building at 111 8th Avenue in the Chelsea district of New York is huge.  It takes up the entire block from 8th to 9th avenue and 15th to 16th street.

The old Port Authority building

 
Earlier this year, Google made a bid to officially purchase the building from its tenant for 1.9 billion dollars.  The building currently houses a range of web and telecommunication companies including Livestream.

This pic is from the 15th floor of the building looking South over the financial district.

This view is looking North towards midtown.

 Google is planning on closing the deal before the end of 2010.  As of now, they have not expressed interest in kicking out any of the other businesses that have their headquarters in the building, but this could change in 2011.  I will stay up to date on the issue.  How will I know?  I work there.

5 Things That Make An Internet Meme Go Viral

These points are all based on my opinion that something goes viral because people want to SHARE it. 

1. Relatable Emotionally- "It's funny because it's true."  If a user is able to connect with an emotion expressed through text, images, or video...especially something that's humorous, they'll want to share it (see post).

2. Topical- If it is related to a current event, than the Internet is the best source to publish in real-time.  Twitter hash tags and news-worthy events can sky rocket a meme to viral status at lightning speed (i.e. the BP oil spill).



3. Informative-If new information is presented in a creative way, than people will want to share it.  If you discover that using your cell phone while it charges may cause it to self destruct (not true) then you may want to forward the info onto the people you care about.  (Even though these people will be pissed that you are spamming them with false information).

4. $- Something that offers a financial incentive (like Groupon) can take off because people want to share it because it saves them money, duh.

5. Uncommon- Something thaat catches a viewer off guard or make he or she say "what the hell?"  can be an easy way to get the person to click share.



The above listed things are incentives for people to share.  This article describes some of the technicalities when it comes to getting a lot of views on Youtube.

Best 2 Internet Memes of 2010

This article from Mashable reviews 5 of the Best Internet Memes from 2010.  The article analyzes what aspect contributed to each meme going viral.  The first one mentioned, the one that I think should be the clear winner, is the Bed Intruder Song.



If you haven't seen this video or heard about it before, then you probably aren't reading this thing called a blog on this thing called the Internet. 
The number one reason why an image, site, quote, or video goes viral is because it is relatable.  Viewers can make emotional connections.  Whether it's Antoine Dodson conveying his raw frustration in an over-the-top way, or Bear Vazquez getting overly excited about a "double rainbow" the content conveys emotions that people can recognize.
In my opinion, the "double rainbow" video comes in second place.

Talkwit.TV

 The other night at the NY Video Meetup, I watched Sean Casey (the founder of Talkwit.tv) present and launch his website, described as "The Crowdsourced TV guide where every show across any network is always social"--LinkedIn Page.  Talkwit.TV ranks currently airing TV shows by the amount of social buzz they are receiving at a certain time.  It allows users to interact with their friends or followers and see which shows the people they know are talking about.
When answering questions after the launch, Sean explained that he was an avid believer in the dual device experience of watching TV.  The platform is dependent on the idea that people will not have all of their social media and Internet Apps stored on their TV, but will instead depend on a mobile device or computer while watching.
Interesting idea, but wouldn't it be safer to incorporate this device into a Google TV App, just in case that dual device model doesn't hold up?
Then again, I've just come to realize that I'm writing this post using my laptop as I watch TV.