Monthly Archives: November 2014

Wake Up Sleepy Head

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We met in the second grade and it’s been one long conversation ever since. Bonnie Richer and yours truly at T-Bar on Third Ave. and 74th Street last night discussing the very nature of a wake-up call and the people we would like to wake-up. Meow!

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Image from : dailynewsdig.com

For the last several years, I always wake up before the alarm rings, sometimes an hour before. It doesn’t matter if its 5am, I’ll wake up at 4. I’m always concerned that the alarm will not go off, so subconsciously I just wake myself up.

Such was the case this morning. I caught an 8:30am flight from Miami to New York. My alarm was set for 5:30am, but I was up way before that. I usually shut the alarm off the minute I wake up. The sound of the alarm represents a warning to me, “The day has started, whether you like it or not.” I don’t like it.

My nephew Sam emailed an article from Newsday to me which talks about the different wake-up alarms available. I was happy to read the story because I wanted to see if there were some new options. Unfortunately, Newsday charges non-subscribers a fee to read their digital content, so I was blocked from reading the story.

I’m not going to divulge how I got my hands on the article, but I did. I wanted you to see the wake-up alarm options as well, so here is a copy and paste version of what you need to know.

Alarmy—I think this one is quite clever.

(iOS $1.99, Android, $1.71)
Alarmy proudly bills itself as the “World’s Most Annoying Alarm App,” and it may well be true. First, you take a picture of something near your bedroom — for example, your bathroom sink — and “register” it within the app. To shut off the alarm when it sounds in the morning, you must get out of bed and use your phone’s camera to snap a new photo that matches the one you registered.

Alarm Clock Xtreme—I think this one could be stressful.

(Android, $1.99)
Anyone trying to get up for work knows if you snooze, you lose, especially if you repeatedly hit the snooze button. Each time you hit the snooze button, Alarm Clock Xtreme’s alarm gets louder. For repeat snooze-button offenders, the app can be customized so the only way to quiet the alarm is to successfully complete a math problem. Don’t worry: The calculations are easy, because even Einstein wasn’t Einstein at 6 a.m.

Alarm Clock Pro–-This would never wake me up.

(iOS, Android; $0.99)
For those who don’t need a lot of prodding to get up, Alarm Clock Pro is a good-looking solution. The app is stylishly designed to emulate a large LCD clock and has several themes to choose from. You can pick any song on your device as the alarm to wake up to. The app has a built-in flashlight, a nice feature on dark, cold winter mornings.

Wake Alarm Clock–This could be harmful to your smartphone,

(iOS; $3.99)
This popular iOS app offers several ways to wake you up. You can set the app to “shake” mode, meaning you physically have to grab the phone and shake it to shut the alarm off. For those who wake up easier, “swipe” mode should suffice, because all you need to do to quiet the alarm is run a finger across the screen.

Generation Ass

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Dear Lois, “I read your blog yesterday. It made me think of when we all started working. Everyone thought young woman couldn’t be successful in an old boys network. So we took advantage of their underestimating us. Nothing has really changed. Just a different perspective.”

Those words came from my girlfriend Laurie in an email last night. She wanted to remind me that every age has its own set of problems. I appreciated her words. I received about seven other email comments from friends, all very supportive.

Then my friend Steve told me about a commentary Bill Maher presented on the aging of America last Friday on his weekly HBO show, Real Time With Bill Maher. Very appropriate. Be sure to watch it. Gives us all, food for thought. It will also explain the headline.

Mirror Mirror On The Wall, Who’s That Looking Back At Me?

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I taped this from my TV today. It doesn’t really demonstrate what I am talking about but I wanted you to see Bette.
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Walter Winchell
Image from Britannica.com

When Bette Midler appeared on Live With Kelly and Michael today I felt like they treated her like a grandma. She was there to promote her 25th album, “It’s the Girls,” and they patronized her like any respectable grandchildren would do. “0h, you are so cute, grandma.”

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Okay, call me paranoid but I feel that Kelly and Michael see Bette as a senior citizen while we (the DigiDame reader) see superstar. I don’t know why I am bringing this up. I guess I feel like our age group is rapidly becoming more about yesterday and less about today.

Here is my problem. As many of you know, I am working diligently to help a client raise funds on Kickstarter for a video game he wants to develop. I am a networker by nature, so I contacted a much younger friend who interned at HWH PR a number of years ago, and is working at Kickstarter.

Maybe he can help us with our campaign? I wanted him to tell us what we were doing right or wrong. The guy is brilliant and very personable. My hunch was right. He cut through the clutter immediately and connected us to all the right contacts who could guide us. I am forever grateful.

I love this guy, always have. I want to be relevant and important to his generation. Instead, I’m like Bette is to Kelly and Michael, an old reliable shoe. Read what he wrote to a colleague. I was copied on his email.

“Meet Lois. Lois runs a PR firm in NY where I interned many years ago. She’s an old school publicity maven and firebrand for her clients.”

Ugh!!! I’m an old school publicity maven? Excuse me while I put on my Walter Winchell hat with the little tag that says “press.” The truth is I can’t really get away from the way the world sees women my age. I can’t blame my friend. He’s conditioned. So is everyone else.

It doesn’t matter how hard I work, how much I accomplish, and what I do to stay fresh. The life lines on my face tell it the way it is. Hillary, on a much grander level, is going to face the same thing. It’s going to be very interesting to see how she handles it. Maybe, I still have a lot to learn.

Vanity Fair Features Uber In November Issue

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Everyone is Uber crazy. My friends and family do not stop talking about how much easier their lives are now because of Uber. They use Uber for all their transportation needs. Some are even talking about giving up their cars.

My friend Steven Adler, 67, told me he sold his two cars because getting around Los Angeles was just too much for him. He uses Uber for everything, even grocery shopping.

Now that we are spending more time in Miami, I just signed up for Uber tonight. I hate driving and I don’t want to have to depend on Eliot to chauffeur me everywhere. I’m excited. My new found freedom.

Who ever thought a phenomenon like Uber would be such a success. According to Wikipedia, as of September 16, 2014, the service was available in 45 countries and more than 100 cities worldwide, and was valued at more than $15 billion. It was started by Travis Kalanick and Garrett Camp in 2009.

I have a real treat for you. Vanity Fair, in the November issue, did a profile on Kalanick. Famous Re/Code writer Kara Swisher wrote the piece. I managed to capture the article digitally so I am including it right here.

See you in the back seat.

Set Your Camera Free

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It’s days like this that I love DigiDame. The blog enables me to find out about innovative products that are absolutely fascinating. The Nixie is not on the market yet, but you have to learn all about it. It’s literally thrilling.

Picture a combination drone and camera that wraps around your wrist. When it’s not on your wrist, it turns into a quadcopter that flies, snaps photos and takes video. Now that’s true wearable technology.

In fact, Nixie just won Intel’s wearable technology contest. That why I found out about it. More information about that from Business Insider.

The company website says Nixie finds its way using motion-prediction algorithms and sensors. The device also has 360-degree panorama and follow modes, letting Nixie trail behind you in the air.

Watch the video. You haven’t seen anything like this before. I will let you know when it is available at retail. I will be first in line.

Thank You For Your Help

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I just launched a Kickstarter campaign for a client. I am asking friends and family to donate $5 or more in order to stimulate the donations. My request is totally legit. Kickstarter explained that if I get those closest to me to donate quickly, it will bring other money in. I will be happy to reimburse the money to you. Just let me know that you did it. We really need you to do it today or tomorrow. Just click on the link below. Thank you. Lois

Here is the press release I issued.

View the Dust.Evolution Kickstarter campaign here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dustevolution/dustevolution

Dust.Evolution To Become Spectacular Video Game Via Kickstarter Campaign

Paolo Parente’s Ultimate Alternate History WWII Science Fiction Game Moves From Playing Boards To Game Screens

Video Games, TV and Podcaster Personality Veronica Belmont Named Special Advisor To Dust.Evolution Team

MIAMI, FL, November 4, 2014 – History is the past and science fiction the future, but now both will become one through the remarkable new fantasy video game Dust.Evolution, which is launching through Kickstarter. The new game is the exciting “evolution” of the popular board game Dust-Tactics, whose story and challenges will now be extended deep into the digital realm through the current Kickstarter campaign.

Dust.Evolution is the next elevation from the astonishing imagination of Paolo Parente, creator of the wildly popular World of Dust and Dust Comics. Starting from just a handful of tables covered with maps and miniatures, the Dust community has grown to thousands of players from all around the world. Dust tournaments are a frequent feature at international comic and gaming conventions, where the best and brightest strategic minds battle on game tables for global Dust dominance.

Until now, these Dust conflicts have been limited to players who can actually meet in person. Now, through the upcoming Kickstarter campaign, the engaging gameplay of the Dust tabletop expands as a video game to the digital Dust universe; thus allowing anyone, anywhere to play together. Dust.Evolution will now become a truly global gaming experience.

To realize this exciting, new vision of Dust.Evolution, Dust Studio’s Parente is collaborating with Shane Samole, the executive producer of the Dust.Evolution project. Shane, the founder and creator of Excalibur Electronics, is a 30-year veteran in the game business and his family is responsible for having launched the first ever commercially available electronic chess game. He has hired an all-star team of creative talent beginning with expert developer and project director Dale Leary, alongside Pixelwarps Studios founder, Ariel Mendoza. Together they represent over 40 years of digital production experience.

The stunning look and feel of Dust.Evolution will be an extension of the detailed look and feel by the Dust Studio Art Director and Master Painter of the Dust universe, Vincent Fontaine. The original Dust.Evolution thrilling score and soundtrack will be composed by none other than the award-winning composer Jesper Kyd. Millions of gamers know Master Composer Kyd’s work through such hit games as the Assassin’s Creed series, Hitman, the Borderlands series and the soundtrack for the recently released Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. Industry Veteran video game, tech and TV personality Veronica Belmont has been named game consultant for Dust.Evolution. Veronica is a TV host, podcaster and well-known writer based out of San Francisco. As an event host and emcee, Veronica has worked with clients including Sony, IBM, Disney, Intel, Chevy, AOL and many more.

The Dust.Evolution Kickstarter campaign has set a funding goal of $650,000. The finished game will be first made available through the Steam platform for PC. If the project reaches its stretch goals, additional versions are planned for the Nintendo Wii U, Microsoft Xbox One, Sony PlayStation 4 and other digital platforms.

Picking up where its successful board game predecessor left off, the upcoming Dust.Evolution is conceived as the ultimate alternative-history gaming experience. The scene is 1947, World War II hasn’t ended, and the world is in chaos, as three powerful global political factions vie for military supremacy. Players who lead these factions battle each other over a powerful new alien energy source that has been discovered near the South Pole.

View the Dust.Evolution Kickstarter campaign here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dustevolution/dustevolution

Get updates and progress on the Dust.Evolution game and the World of Dust and at:

http://www.Facebook.com/DustEvolutionGame
https://www.facebook.com/groups/303941853917/
http://www.DustGame.com
http://www.dustevolution.com
http://www.Twitter.com/DustEvolution
http://www.Twitter.com/ThePaoloParente

You Too Can Be A Big Shot For $20

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Robin Raskin, tech entrepreneur, is wearing her creation, Faux Glass, and Fred Fishkin, a tech journalist, is sporting Google Glass.

Leave it to Robin Raskin, a long time journalist turned entrepreneur, to create the most hysterical tech/fashion statement of all time. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw her Crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo for Faux Glass.

What a hoot. I’ve known Robin for decades. She never ceases to amaze. Although she is only seven years younger than me, I feel like her mother. Her boundless energy and never ending creativity is that of a 21 year old. I am constantly in awe.

Faux Glass has been designed to look like Google Glass but in reality is a $20 pair of glasses with some LED lights. Robin is raising money on Indiegogo to bring Faux Glass to market so the masses can have the opportunity to look cool. Why should the folks who can afford the augmented reality glasses at $1,500 be the only ones to look special?

Robin said “It’s no faux pas that we designed these toy glasses to look ‘faux real.’ The reaction from people in the know has been hysterically funny.” The official press release says, “Faux Glass lights up in amazing colors, includes a magnifier and spotlight, and has a series of commands that don’t do much of anything but bring a smile to anyone who sees them.”

Faux Glass will also be available for sale on the Faux Glass website in December. Check Robin out. She is an editor, author and tech expert. She founded, Living in Digital Times, (LIDT), a team of technophiles, who bring together top experts and the latest innovations that intersect lifestyle and technology. LIDT produces conferences and expos at CES as well as other times throughout the year.

One Of Those Terrifying Moments

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IMG_1652.JPGDavid Pogue
Courtesy of Yahoo

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Available December 9th.

I’m always afraid that my cell phone is going to ring at the most inopportune time. Even when I completely shut it off during a play or movie, I get panic-stricken that it will ring anyway and I will not be able to turn it off.

Eliot is unaware of this, but I actually map out my get away if my phone should ring. I comfort myself by memorizing where the exit is and how many people I will have to jump over for my escape. Sometimes I hold my powerless cell on my lap during a show just so I don’t have to spend a second more looking for it when the impossible happens.

I absolutely get giddy when someone else’s phone rings. I laugh out of nerves. Eliot and I were at a wedding in New Jersey last September when the Rabbi asked the entire congregation to shut off their phones. We sat silently waiting for the Rabbi to begin the ceremony. He was in no hurry. He asked us all several times if we were ready. Everyone nodded yes.

It wasn’t five minutes later that a cell phone started ringing. Unfortunately, it belonged to an elderly woman behind me. I could hear her fumbling for her phone. After three rings, she managed to stop it. It happened two more times.

By the third set of rings, her husband very calmly asked her if she knew how to shut off her phone? Without a care in the world she answered, “No!” Everyone, in rows around them, were ready to knock the two of them out. The offending couple, on the other hand, sat there totally unfazed that they disturbed and interrupted the ceremony.

Tech journalist David Pogue recently explained how to turn your phone off on-the-spot if it should start ringing. It doesn’t matter whether it’s your fault. Shut the damn thing off.

41 % Of American Senior Citizens Do Not Use The Internet At All

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The video above is one father’s way to coax his sons to stay away from the Internet during dinner. He succeeds. Worth the watch.

I thought we were all addicted to the web, but now Pew Research surprised me by claiming that only one in two older American adults actually know the benefits of the Internet like online shopping, video conferencing, and reconnecting with old friends on social networks. Pew told Tech Crunch, a tech site, that there are a significant number of older folks who have no incentive to go online.

Twenty percent of Americans are unconnected. If you think that is a lot, then you will surprised to know that there are 4.3 billion people in the world that have nothing to do with the Internet.

Yes, many of them are in under developed counties. However. Pew said that there are a significant number of older adults that want to be left alone and do not want to be involved with the rest of the world.

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I Finally Have A Voice

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The one thing I love to do, but I’m absolutely the worst at, is singing. I’m completely out-of-tune and sound like a frog. I was so bad in junior high school, Mr. Santos, the teacher in charge of the Glee Club, didn’t even trust me to lip sync. I was completely thrown out and asked not to return.

I held my head down in shame. My father was a terrific singer. He could have easily been in the music business. He would sing in our car during long drives and belt out a few songs while listening to the radio at home. I thought everyone sang like that until it was my turn. Family and friends used to fold in their ears. People don’t do that anymore. They just tell me to shut up.

I think my life just took a happier turn tonight when I watched Singtrix, the next generation in karaoke machines, being presented on the TV show Shark Tank. Even though the two owners of Singtrix, failed to raise any money, the product still has tremendous appeal to all hams like me.

Singtrix features hundreds of professional vocal effects, live backup harmonies, and natural pitch-correction. If I hit the on-mic effect button, my voice automatically is transformed into a 4-part vocal harmony super group. That is super awesome.

At $349.99, The Singtrix Studio allows me to sing along with YouTube or my existing music library. The Singtrix karaoke app is also a source for karaoke music. I can’t wait to get Singtrix, stand in front of a mirror, and become the star I always thought I was.

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