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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Emil is chronicling his experiences while learning cool and important skills such a photography, blogging, and video editing. These are all skills that my first-year writing students get to develop each year in my Tech and Sensibility class, and increasingly, young people will need to know these basics as more tech makes its way into the classroom.

But the thing that I really enjoy about reading Emil's blog is that you get a clear sense of his voice. This is important for kids. Emil is funny and engaging.

Let me know what you think. More importantly, leave a message of encouragement for Emil.

The Downfall is one of my favorite movies. These spoofs of contemporary tech and media issues are just brilliant. What do you think?

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

MacRabbit's Espresso

I really love the blogs that have grown out of app development. Although MacRabbit's entries are short, I think, they provide a nice glimpse into product development, giving us access we typically did not have. I love the interaction and the exchange between developer and potential users as well–and the exchange among users. And frankly, from a product development perspective, it's pretty smart.

I've Beta-tested numerous apps over the years and find that even when there are major issues, the community that comes about from the developers' willingness to engage can make a huge difference. Sometimes it means that I give a product a second or third look rather than dismiss it outright.

What's interesting, and I think valuable, about this service is that it forces those who are ambivalent or unsure of the nature and purpose of their site to make a decision. What are your aims? Who are you trying to reach? How? Is your blog a revenue-generating entity or side project/hobby?

The policy has the potential to really refocus the way you think about what you are doing. And I think that's a good thing.  What do you think?

Full Disclosure: I am a console gaming novice, so what I say here might seem child's play to many of you.

After a couple of weeks of delay, I finally set up the Xbox 360. Console, gamer name, wireless, you name it. But then the darn thing would not recognize my computer. The problem? It's a Mac. Grrr.

Then I discovered Nullriver's Connect360. It's a cool piece of software that lets the Xbox recognize your Mac; this let me access my music and photos via the Xbox, too. I was gearing up for a fight, but the software installed effortlessly and worked (and so far continues to work) seamlessly. Connect360 also supports Shoutcast streaming and HD video streaming. You can download for free to try it out or purchase for $20. The company also makes MediaLink for Playstation 3 and Mac integration.

Let the gaming begin! (er, for "research" purposes, of course).

How can I improve my Xbox experience? Like to share apps,  tips?

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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