Apple getting Ready with Iphone OS 3.1

Well, that didn’t take long.  After the release of Iphone OS 3.0, Apple is now getting ready to release Iphone OS 3.1.  What does it fix you ask?, well, I am not sure what it fixes, but it appears to add some editing features to the video application and it turns on the MMS functions that AT&T is not ready for, at least not until the end of summer.  Aside from that, I would guess that Apple is going to try to make some changes to the battery profiles to prevent the Iphone from overheating, which many people are now complaining about on the new Iphone 3GS phone.

Am I surprised at this, no, do I think that there will be an OS 3.2, yup, am I going to be jumping on the band wagon when 3.1 comes out, nope!  Now that I have the 3.0 jailbroken and have my Qik back up and running, I can continue to do Tampa Real Estate like no other, so I have time!

Iphone 3G 3.0 OS Jailbreak – Success

Ok, I lived with the 3.0 software for a few days now…and I was missing my jailbroken Iphone something fierce.  The Jailbreak is not unlock, it is merely changing a bit of code in the phone that will allow the phone to download and run software that was not endorsed by Apple Computer.  After all, I own the phone so I should be able to do whatever I want with it…right…right!

The new jailbreak is a bit different.  It use to be called QuickPwn, now that is being retired and the new program to handle the task is called RedSn0w.  Redsn0w takes out all the “baby” steps and gives you a more grown up appearance, no frills type of UI.

I was a bit nervous about the operation at first, since I was wiping out all the info in my phone to perform the task.  But like always, the boys at DevTeam come thru again with a slick and easy solution to the problem (I am sure it was difficult to them, but they make it wasy for me).

In either event, my team and I can continue to do what knowone else can do in the Tampa Real Estate Market, and that is, think way outside the box!

IPhone 3GS not that big a Deal in My Book

I am a huge advocate of the Iphone and Macs in general.  I use both my Mac and Iphone for my business in Tampa Real Estate.  I saw the presentation put on by Apple regarding the new phone but was more impressed with the Iphone 3.0 os rather than the new hardware.  The new operating system set to be released on Wed June 17 offers push notification, cut and paste, mms, faster overall speed, stereo bluetooth, etc, all available in the current hardware.  The new phone, called the Iphone 3GS, touts a compass, and a better camera, that offers video recording.  There is still no forward facing camera, the ram goes from 16G to 32G, rather than the 8G to 16G in the older model.  The colors are still the same, which surprises me, and the overall design is exactly the same on the outside.

I am sure the new Iphone will do well, but I – am disappointed that if I did get the new Iphone,  noone would be able to tell the difference.

New Tech puts a Drain on Iphone

I would probably consider myself on the cutting edge of tech when it comes to Tampa Real Estate…mostly due to the fact that I come from the Engineering Field so it is old school to me to apply tech to whatever I am doing.  I have an Iphone for business, Real Estate and Engineering Consulting, and I pretty much push the phone to the limits of its capabilities.

With this huge use, I tend to drain the battery to nothing by noon.  Well, there are a few solutions to this problem.  First solution is to have a power source nearby to plug it into often.  If that is not available, then a car power cord comes in handy as well.  But probably the best solution, being mobile, is an additional battery.  You ask yourself, “The Iphone cant swap batteries”…you are correct.  But you can purchase an external battery that fights around the phone.  Two companies that make such a thing are InCase and Mophie.  Both are excellent products, both have pros and cons.  But they both add extra bulk to the device so you really need to be aware of that and get use to it.

If you are a heavy Iphone user, and need extra power, look into these companies for great solutions to the problem.

Iphone…Disappear Me!

Its that good!

Live Streaming Tampa Realtor Video Added

For me, and hopefully you feel the same way, it is all about Transparency.  What’s happening is happening online Live. Tampa Real Estate at its best!

How NOT to use Social Networking

Listen up people…this is for all of you out there that have no idea what you are doing in the Social Networking arena.  First, some quick background, I am a Realtor in the Tampa Real Estate Market, and I have several Engineering degrees and do Engineering Consulting for a Company in VA, but I am going to focus on Realtors as a whole since this is the group with the most offenses.  Ok, background done.

Please follow this golden rule and repeat it everyday…”DO NOT MAKE YOUR ENTIRE LIFE IN SOCIAL NETWORKS ABOUT REAL ESTATE – CAUSE NO-ONE CARES!”  Now repeat that a few times and write it on your inner eyelids so that you can read it when you are trying to fall asleep.  Too many Real Estate Agents think they can just go out there in the “Interweb” and yell at the top of their lungs “HELLO EVERYBODY, I AM A REALTOR AND I HAVE SOMETHING TO SELL YOU SO CALL ME RIGHT NOW”.  Guess what, DELETE!  I wouldn’t even bother trying to get to know you because I can see that you are only interested in one thing, Spamming the System.  You will find that many people will not want to interact with you either just because you are way to boring.

Try this instead,  ”Hi, I’m Steve and I’m into Boating, Fishing, Fast Cars, and an occasional Horror Movie…oh and my profession is Real Estate”.  Now that is something that I can grasp.  I don’t care if you are in Real Estate, but as I get to know you, I may gain a level of trust with you that if I have a referral, I will think of you first as opposed to those that just keep Spamming me with junk.

Social Networking is all about “Networking” on a “Social” level.  Try just walking around the room a bit and see if there is anyone of interest that you would like to listen more to what they have to say, or maybe would even like jumping in on the conversation.

Try it out and see what you think….after all, If I was a used car salesman, would you want me spamming you ever second about buying a used car?….No….then Knock it OFF!

Nuff Said

My MacBook and Tampa Real Estate So Far

I have had my little macbook for about 3 months now and I must say that it has been the most enjoyable 3 months I have had with a piece of computing technology ever in my life.  I have gone thru pc’s/laptops made by HP, Dell, IBM, Compaq, and a slew of others, built my own computers trying to pick the best of the best to ensure longevity of my investment, but I had never invested into a piece of Apple Technology in my life except for when I bought my macbook.

What a dream it is to use.  Everything just works, oh and the best part (and a funny one at that), I run windows on my mac thru a virtual machine, and it runs faster and more stable than any machine I have ever had.  I enjoy my mac so much, I bought my wife (@cmasse on twitter) an iMac for the office (20″ screen).  The problem now is the fact that I am jealous that she has it and I don’t.  Well, that is gonna change if I have my way this year (I for-see a nice 17″ macbook pro in my future).

So to make a long story short, I have been converted…I am now an official Mac virgin…and I’m lovin it.  I can even access the Tampa MLS on the Mac, something most said can’t be done, but guess what…you’re wrong.

Richard Branson of Virgin Airlines Talks at Solidworks 2009

On top of being a Tampa Real Estate Realtor, I do consulting work for a company in Virgina (www.seasgroup.com).  They sent me to Orlando to attend the Solidworks World 2009 Conference.  Keynote speaker was Sir Richard Branson and he did not dissapoint.  He is very interesting to listen to and funny to boot.  Here is the video that I took, although I found out after that i was not suppose to shoot any video.  I was a distance from the stage so my shot is off the overheads otherwise you would just see 2 little ants way up on stage.  Its over 40 minutes long so you may want to wait until you have a sec. to view it, but it is well worth it…enjoy

The Power of Social Media

Social Media has really come into its own as of late and has really been making a tremendous impact on how people view and interact with their surroundings.  Social Platforms like Twitter and Facebook and Blogging have allowed people to express themselves in ways that were never even conceived of just a few years ago.  Now you can interact with people from other countries, learn about events that are happening and interact with individuals involved with activities literally thousands of miles away if you choice.  The walls of the famous have been taken down as well.  For example, I was in a conversation with MC Hammer the other day on Twitter..he was talking about his trip to Russia and what he has been up to as of late.  Do you think I could have seen him on the street and had this conversation with him there some few years ago…I think not.  And the even funnier part of it, it was no big deal, it really wasn’t.

Blogging has come a long way as well.  Blogs which were once just something a person could use to express themselves and weren’t taken too seriously, have now gone mainstream and are used for personal purposes, professional, and for whisleblowers (some of you know what I am talking about).  The blog, as long as what you write about is the truth or if not, causes no harm to anyone, can be a powerful tool in your marketing plan.  And in marketing plan I mean, a means of becoming known, because that is what everyone that writes for a purpose is trying to do in the first place.

As time passes, more and more Social Media Platforms continue to rise out of the depths of the imagination, based on blogs, or pictures, or music, or videos, they continue to multiply.  And with all these new platforms come to utilities that allow people to do things such as post to one and update all, link all the sites together, gauge your importance or influence on these sites with your audience, etc.

This is a fun and amazing world we live in now.  It really has become that much smaller.  I am a firm believer in 6 degrees of separation.  If you are not engaged in Social Media or feel intimidated by it, go create and account at one of the platforms and be a “lurker”, someone that just watches and observe the interactions that are occuring.  When you feel comfortable enough to engage someone, do so and don’t hold back, but don’t be rude!  Eventually you will be immersed and you won’t understand why you were so resistant in the first place.

I think its time to wake MC Hammer up now…hope he is not grumpy in the morning…lets find out…

 

You can follow me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/rmasse10 or @rmasse10.  See you all out there!