A couple of entrepreneurs with a love of hip hop would meet up and each would try to stump the other with trivia questions. Like playing the dozens, their impromptu game soon became addictive and before long, Maurice Thompson, Michael Dothard, and Ron Young realized they had something. “After a few solid days of doing this, we looked at each other and said, ‘someone else might enjoy this,’” said Thompson, 30. According 2 Hip Hop (A2HH), a trivia game based on hip hop lyrics was born.

A joint venture between Drip Entertainment and ClickArtist Media, A2HH, available for the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad, is a tough trivia game for hip hop aficionados–but it’s also accessible enough for those of us who know a lil’ something. The app launched in December 2009 and currently has roughly 10,000 downloads (iTunes; $.99). The company expects to reach 80,000 downloads by year-end.

According to Dothard, 28, the game is no trivial matter. “We saw this as an opportunity to pull together different generations of hip hop culture; two or three generations can sit down and enjoy [the game],” he says. “But we also wanted to make sure we were giving a respectful representation of what hip hop is.”
Indeed, one of the noticeable features of the game (and according to user feedback) is that it’s challenging. No softballs here. The team is working on Version 2, which will make the game a bit more accessible in terms of providing answers and scoring options for players. This includes the ability to share scores on social media sites like Twitter and Facebook, and even purchase the music through iTunes. Version 2 is set for a September release.

In addition to the download, the company hosts an A2HH  Monday night trivia game on Twitter (live at 8 p.m.),where sometimes, an errant hip hop artist might pop in to play.

Stressing that they are a “hip hop company embracing technology,” Young, 27,  says, “We also wanted to create something that would help people connect and appreciate older music in a new format.” “Technology and hip hop culture go hand in hand,” he notes, adding that the app development process has given the company great perspective on how the mobile marketplace is moving; it’s knowledge they plan to use going forward.

In addition to the mobile platform, the company is currently exploring options as diverse as board games, a TV trivia show, and multi-player gaming on the iPad and consoles.

This is what happens when you ask a question about a Ghostface Killah lyric?

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I've had a preproduction version of the device for nearly a month now, and I have to say, I'm a bit impressed. The Droid X's multimedia features, in particular, are great: 8 megapixel camera; nice camcorder, and good set of speakers, HDMI capability, and easy-to-access Media Share and DLNA features. Oh, and it's also a phone. Verizon's service was reliable, calls were clear, and none dropped during testing. The Droid X has a large, 4.3-inch screen is perfect for capturing HD videos. I ditched my iPod for a few days to run  videos while working out at the gym, and except for some brief moments of lag, I had no issues. It's a beautiful screen.

However, I was disheartened to discover that I could not download anything from the Android Market. So I watched as my unsuccessful downloads stacked up in the info bar. Occasionally, I would gaze at them forlornly, wondering if I would ever become Mayor of a Foursquare venue. Or translate that one, obscure Romanian phrase. Verizon acknowledge that the lack of Android Market access was an issue with some preproduction models. I queried a couple of other journalists who had similar problems–theirs resolved quicker than mine. I was finally able to access the marketplace last night, just a couple of days shy of the product return date. hmmm…

Aesthetics and Function: On the device itself, I wish there were dual-camera capabilities such as those available on the HTC Evo and the iPhone 4 (despite its reported tech issues and bad PR). And, let's face it, the Droid isn't exactly the cutest guy at the bar. It seems designed with "futuristic-masculine" in mind–from the wide screen to the Terminator droid eye, to the AutoTune-like  "Droid" that sounds every time new Gmail comes in. In truth, it straddles the line. As a tech geek, I love it. But it can get a bit overwhelming. Are those slight quibbles? Probably. But  I also think it's important that a device is suited to me both functionally and aesthetically.

I also wanted to be able to prop up the Droid to watch videos but there was no kickstand. And I don't like that I need to purchase the micro HDMI cable separately. Upsells really bug me. And, I'm cheap.

Additionally, the way the Droid X handles social networking is a bit awkward and confusing. I would much prefer to load my social tools myself .

One big plus with the device is the ability to share a connection with up to 5 wi-fi devices. Another is the 8GB of installed memory and pre-installed 16GB memory card. And I loved the ease with which I Bluetooth-ed my Blackberry contacts to the Droid. Nice!

Verizon's Droid X by Motorola is a solid device. Lot's of strong features that put it squarely in contention with the HTC Evo and Apple's iPhone. There are a few aesthetic and performance shortcomings, but I think the device is heading in the right direction in terms of multimedia capabilities that only add to the already great phone performance.

Priced at $199 with 2-year contract and data plan starting at $29.99/month.

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Sometimes mothers—and in this case, grandmothers—do, in fact, know best.

This morning, I had a great conversation with my mom about some recent tech and social media conversations my friends and I have been engaging. I described a few instances in which we shared information and resources with folks, helping them make connections and access resources they needed to be successful. I live for this stuff. I love sharing knowledge.  It’s also part of the reason I like this group of folks I’ve come to know through social media tools.

But we also discussed a peculiar issue: We’ve noticed all too frequently that as soon as someone gets a small bit of info, they’re off to execute, often, rather poorly. Sometimes folks will take a bit of knowledge and charge into the marketplace, becoming, almost overnight, bona fide “experts.” Hmmm. You don’t hear from them for a good while; then they resurface for more info. Again, you share. And you watch.

But sometimes, it becomes a bit irritating, especially if what is learned isn’t shared or is poorly executed.

To this, my mother simply replied: “There are a lot of wasps out there.”

“Huh,” I queried, thinking that we were experiencing a bit of inter-generational disconnect.

Mom said: “Wasps buzz around the honeycomb that the bees make; they’re very fast, but they don’t know how to make the honey. They don’t have the materials in their bellies to produce honey.”

She continued: “My mother used to say, ‘That’s why wasps are so dangerous when they sting.’” Mom said with a laugh, “They are angry at not being able to produce what they say they can. So you have to watch out for wasps.”

My mom’s wasp-y advice has left me thinking about so much–about the ways in which I often interact, what I share, and how social media tools function within this shared-knowledge economy. I share a lot. But I’m wondering if, perhaps, I should be more selective about my sharing. Perhaps this is an opportunity to re-think my social sphere as well?

What do you think?

Image via Wikipedia

Last week, my good friend Anthony Calypso and I had a conversation about his latest piece for TheGrio.com, which addressed a "dirty secret…that blacks don't tip well." Our chat led me to think about not just tipping but also the value that we place on each other–whether its in hiring and pay or patronage. Could it also be that black labor is considered less valuable by other black folk?

Certainly we've all heard and likely experienced the horror stories of "buying black," moments in which our desire to express racial solidarity goes awry. But we also have numerous stories of thriving black businesses and happy and loyal black patrons.

Still, I believe there is a larger conversation at play. One only has to look mainstream as a suggestion toward an answer. There is no secret that African Americans experience greater gaps in income and employment, and experience higher levels of unemployment than whites. Black women, for example, still earn just 64 cents for ever dollar earned by a white male.

So, there is that. But I wonder, have we internalized this de-valuation of each other? What do you think?

(Ok, I know this isn't exactly a "tech" topic, but over the years, I have had numerous conversations with black technologists on issues such as venture funding, access to resources, theft of intellectual property–a host of cases of black-on-black dealings that lead me to believe that the issue goes deeper than inadequate tipping. Thoughts?)

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The site is easy to use and pricing starts at $7 per month for Bronze membership and runs up to $18 per month for the Gold membership. At the bronze level, you get unlimited resumes and up to 20MB of storage, roughly 15 minutes of video fame, according to the site. Gold gives you the same unlimited resumes and 100MB of storage. There is a 10-day free trial on all memberships. The site provides help via how-to videos and lets you view sample resumes.

You can create your own video to add, say, an explanation of your most recent position or a particular accomplishment of which you are proud. Or, you can have one of your letters of recommendation be a video.

In theory, BriteTab is a great idea: A creative yet professional resume that gives potential employers a hint of your personality can mean the difference in a tough job market. Further, and especially important for first-time job-seekers, BriteTab can provide either continuity with other online profiles (provided you've kept a clean nose of Facebook) or an opportunity to "explain" those embarrassing photos, posts, and status updates. Yes, employers check those, too.

However, I'm not so sure that the rest of the hiring world is as color blind as Chris Matthews claims to be. I worry that a video or photo-based resume could provide an opportunity for further discrimination.

Still, there is no denying that BriteTab in on the right track in terms of providing job seekers with an additional and valuable tool to add to their job-search arsenal. I can only hope that the rest of the world catches up.

Still…am I wrong to be so suspicious?

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Yesterday, I took two tech devices to my class, sort of a combination show-and-tell and teaching aid. The first, an original Apple iPod, drew lots' of comments: "it's so heavy," "when was it made?" "the wheel moves," "does it still work?" (yes), "why is there so much music from the 1980s?"(shhhh!)

The second device, an Ergo Audrey drew near silence, then ridicule. "What is that thing sitting over there?" asked one student, pointed, a look of near disgust on her face. Still more questions: "what's it  for" (it's an internet appliance "for women"), "why does it look like that?" (they were going for that 1950s appeal–you know, when women's fascination with kitchen appliances was at an all-time high–it's that sort of Mad Men-ish appeal we seem to have embraced now that we have a reasonably safe distance from the realities of 1950s and 1960s America.)

History and Desire

I have been reading and taking stock of the conversations about Apple's iPad. And I have to admit that after viewing the video with a colleague, I spontaneously tweeted out "iWant" for all the world to see. Friends were shocked–especially given that my blog is all about the practical, tempered, somewhat intellectual approach to tech. I later modified my desire with criticism, a very weak, "it doesn't have a camera" and a really lame personal hygiene joke.

Still, I let my memory take me back to my history with Apple products. Although I was practically raised on Macs, I did not own one until 1993, having had access to them in school as a young journalist. My purchase was a doozy–a Centris 610 fully loaded. Four months later, Apple discontinued the line. D'oh! Still, my Quadra (er, Centris) stuck with me until 2000, when the poor thing could stand no more. I switched over to PCs for a while, mostly because of necessity, but also because of a lovely little Satellite from Toshiba. I temporarily dallied with a Mac G3 before I found joy once again with an iBook G4. I'm now working on a MacBook.

But dammit, I want and iPad!

Despite the proclamations (including my own) of what it doesn't do, I want to think about what it does now, and the possibilities for building on this device. I remember being highly critical of the iPod touch when it was first released, even advising friends not to purchase it. But then I took one of my "think days." Once or twice a month, depending on my workload, I take a day off from email, phoning, media, and reflect.  I did a fair bit of reading that day, and started to think and ask myself questions: what is it for? who is it for? and even, why does it look like that?

It's very easy to chronicle a history of Mac failure, as many have done ad nauseam. More challenging is to think about what the iPad represents, what Apple wants to accomplish with it, what does it do for us,  the challenges and possible opportunities for the device. I've seen some good advice from Sarah Perez here about why you should wait. Michael Kirkpatrick also offers another good analysis of the "Epic FAIL" argument that is typically preferred over sound insight.

Let's take a day off from Babel and think.

From left, Tariq Muhammad, Sonya Donaldson, TC Coleman, Amos Winbush

On December 10, I hosted "Meet the Startups, NYC"  at the Stone Rose Lounge. It was a chance for me to reconnect with NYC starups I've known over the years, meet new entrepreneurs, and introduce them to each other. I was really honored to see folks show up on an evening that was skin-slicingly windy–just for a drink and a chat. This really emphasized for me the need for urban startups to create spaces and conversations that are inclusive.

I have to admit that we spent the evening so deep in conversation, we totally overshot our end time. But it was well worth it. Here's a sampling of some of the tech entrepreneurs, PR, and media folks who made it out…

Tariq Muhammad, Director, AOL Black Voices

Alandis Brassel, Digital Music Consultant, Being AKB

Ntiedo Etuk, Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO, Tabula Digita

Hermann Mazard,  Founder, Organizer at Feastup, Inc., CEO at HomeShop Technologies, Inc., Professor at New York University

Alfred Edmond, Jr., Editor-in-Chief, Blackenterprise.com

Leo Newball, Jr. (aka Nexeus Fatale in Second Life), Designer and Programmer

Sean Scott, Founder and CEO, SoulRealiS LLC

Amos Winbush, Founder and CEO, CyberSynchs

We were also joined by TC Coleman, Esq., Founder, Upward Action (@upwardaction)

Writer and Photographer Laura Turley

Copy Chief, Black Enterprise Magazine, Seimond London

Many, many thanks to everyone who joined us in the conversation. Let's do it again.

Week of February 21, 2010, what say ye, #urbanstartupsNYC?

A Vook is a blend of, you guessed it, a book and video–high-quality multimedia content that's designed to complement the text. Available in web-based and mobile form, a Vook takes 6-8 weeks to make, according to Sallay, and features work from the company's roster of  more than 10,000 independent film producers. The company is working with Simon & Schuster, harperstudio (a division of Harper Collins), and independent authors. So far, Vooks offered on the site range in price from $2.99 to $6.99. I took a peek at the Sherlock Holmes Experience they developed with the Sherlock Holmes Society of London and was intrigued. What would a Vooked version of, say, Clarissa, look like, sound like? Beloved? Would this complement the reading experience or simply lead my students to "watch the video" rather than engage with the text?

"We’re still learning what the right genre is and what works well as a Vook," says Sallay.  "The case for non-fiction is clear. Video has a clear value add to the proposition of a text. Fiction is a bit interesting, different. Some people have absolutely fallen in love with the medium and the piece of candy they get—reading, then watching a video, then going back to the text. Some people hate it, because they say it interrupts the reading."

And still, there is one unanswered question, especially for independent authors: How much does it cost to Vook a book?

What do you think? Does the Vook leap over eReaders like the Kindle and Sony's device, or is this just a fad?

The panelists include:

• Angie Brement, photographer, entrepreneur and blogger for Cville Entremoms.

• Adrienne Graham, founder and CEO of Empower ME! Corporation, a professional networking company for women.

• Shireen Mitchell, entrepreneur and chair of the Media and Technology Task Force of the National Council of Women’s Organizations.

The event is free and open to everyone but reservations are requested. Please RSVP at:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dGs0U2NkS1ZvZzlHZnZjOUJaZlRfcHc6MA

But this man had something new: he was selling (well, kinda selling) a security monitoring system. This young man (we'll call him Chad) queried, "Did you hear about the recent happenings in the neighborhood?" Apparently there had been some break-ins over the summer. "Sure," I lied. "Well, luckily, no one was hurt, but it could have been much worse," he opined, a concerned crease marring his smooth brow. I was touched by Chad's concern for my safety, particularly as he kept emphasizing how dangerous it was for me. Really appreciated that. But Chad seemed hurt as I handed back the brochure, a polite no-thanks attached. "But it's free if you let us install the system," he whined, beads of Southern humidity now dimpling his brow.

My brother-in-law glared at him from the background. My teenage niece managed a bored glance before returning to Facebook. My sister swept the same spot four times. It was dinnertime.

I glanced behind the young man, expecting to catch sight of the Eastern European gang that had kidnapped him and forced him to tout "free" security monitoring systems in Charlottesville. Hard-knock life, indeed.

But Chad's visit, far from comical, left me thinking about security and privacy.  I have been frustrated and nearly enraged by the flood of emails I get immediately after a new worm, virus, or cyber attack hits. They all say the same thing…"our product/device/service/expert/thingie will help you stay more secure." Really? I don't think so. And to paraphrase a somewhat trite saying, perhaps the emphasis is on the wrong syllable.

What if we really questioned what we mean when we use terms such as "secure" and "private." First, given that most of us use a variety of social media tools that display for all the world information that we typically consider private–date of birth, address, phone numbers, resume details, photos, documents, etc.–and share that information with, essentially, the world (most of us, after all, rarely use privacy settings that the services provide), what is our expectation and understanding of "privacy"? Second, if we are to rethink privacy, then how do we begin to understand or articulate what it means to be secure? Or do we simply retreat into a Rockwellian world of paranoia and tacky decor?

Given that we volunteer so much of ourselves through images, conversation threads, status updates, wall posts, YouTube videos, Blip.fm playlists, blog posts, and a host of other means, are we really private citizens? What do we mean by "safe" and what are the challenges for security experts (like Chad) who want to keep us secure? What are the challenges in keeping ourselves "safe?" Is this even possible? Are privacy and security only comforting myths?

What questions should we really be asking? Is privacy/security an either/or proposition or is there a third (fourth or fifth way)?

Check Out:

Michael A. Caloyannides, "Is Privacy Really Constraining Security or Is this a Red Herring?," IEEE Security and Privacy, vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 86-87, July 2004, doi:10.1109/MSP.2004.50

Let me know if you have additional readings to suggest…