SOMEWHAT FRANK

Vote me the next Panasonic Living in HD Insider

I am excited to be a finalist in the Panasonic Living in HD Insider program. What this means is that I am only one step away from being the next Panasonic Living in HD Insider! But I am going to need the help of my readers and community to help make this possible. Check out my video entry I submitted for the contest (below).

Here are a few ways you can help:

1. Vote for me here!
2. Help spread the word by copying the message below and set it on your status on Twitter and Facebook: I just voted for @FrankGruber for #LiHDInsider and you should too here: http://bit.ly/3TnfUB
3. Grab this code (below) and put it one you blog or other sites to help spread the word:

Oh and if I do become a Panasonic Living in HD Insider I get to give away one Lumix G1 SLR camera. So help me make it any you can get a chance to win too. Thanks so much for your help!

Crush It Music Video For Charity (I Have A Cameo)

Today is the big day for my friend Gary Vaynerchuk from Wine Library TV, or GaryVee as many of you know him on Twitter, as he published his first business book Crush It: Why NOW Is The Time To Cash In On Your Passion. This is Gary's second book overall, as his first book was about wine. I look forward to reading it. While Gary was writing it I sent him examples to use for various sections and feedback so I am interested to see how it turned out. Congrats and best of luck to Gary, I hope he sells lots of books! I bought it today.

It's great to see Gary come so far so quickly. I first met Gary via email when he wanted to send wine and sponsor our first TECH cocktail DC event, which we are very thankful for. Then we spoke together on a panel discussing social media at the New New Internet Conference in DC. We shared good times and joy by pulling together a flash mob wine party at SXSW in a matter of minutes. I even had Gary visit my hometown to speak in Woodstock, Illinois at the historic Opera House last year. There are many additional memories over the last few years but I don't want to bore you. All I can say is, It's been fun.

Wolfram Alpha Co-Founder Interview

Last week I traveled to the Midwest to Champaign, Illinois to speak to a group of entrepreneurs about building brands and social media as covered by the Champaign News Gazette and to host another TECH cocktail. The event was sponsored by Wolfram Research which is based in Champaign and has been creating products like Mathematica for over 20 years.

Wolfram Research recently received quite a bit of buzz on TechCrunch, GigaOm Network, ReadWriteWeb and Mashable among others for the launch of the consumer facing product called Wolfram Alpha. Wolfram Alpha is a the computational research engine that helps to find anwsers to questions that don't exist on the Web.

I got a chance to visit with Co-founder, scientist and author, Theodore Gray and discussed the lastest from Wolfram Research. He was a joy to talk to as his office was filled with a number unique items which all had an interesting scientific story behind them. Theodore also created periodictable.com and authored the book Mad Science - Experiments You Can Do At Home But Probably Shouldn't. Check out the video interview with Theodore Gray (above). It is episode 82 on the SOMEWHAT FRANK Video Adventures Podcast which is available on iTunes.

iPhone 3GS: First Impression

After making my second stop to the Apple Store in two days, I finally got my hands on an iPhone 3GS. My first attempt was unsuccessful because the AT&T network was down. So when I returned the next day, I decided to go with the white 32GB version since they were out of the black. I figured I could use the extra 16GB over my last iPhone 3G since I would most likely be taking advantage of the iPhone 3GS's video capabilities.

In order to purchase the iPhone 3GS I had to get yet another AT&T contract. This annoys me. The FCC needs to step in to stop the monopoly that Apple and AT&T have created by forcing all iPhone customers into an AT&T contract just to purchase a new iPhone. Consumers have no choice as they cannot fight of the beautiful songs of the Muses that play while starting into the touchscreen interface for a shiny new iPhone 3GS. Ok, I will get off my soapbox now, but I really think the FCC needs to do something.

Upon syncing up my new  iPhone, I was excited to test iPhone 3GS video camera so I recorded and edited a quick video using the 3GS. I think Flip should probably be a little concerned about the iPhone's video camera taking some of its piece of the mobile video camera pie, though there are still lots of people that will not have the 3GS. The Flip and other similar cameras also offer HD quality video which the iPhone does not so there is still value in having both but the gap between them is shrinking.

Aside from the new video camera, the iPhone 3GS also has a better still photo camera with auto focus and balance. So I performed a little photo test by taking a similar photo but using the touchscreen to focus on a different area.

Washingtonian Names & Unites DC 100 Tech Titans

I just got back from an unbelievable experience in the Washington, D.C. technology scene as Washingtonian Magazine recently assembled a list of the 100 DC Tech Titans, and tonight gathered them to celebrate. The group is lead by innovators like Steve Case, Ted Leonsis and Vint Cerf among others and I was happy to be included as part of the group. It was brought to my attention that Ted Leonsis was overheard referring to Nick O'Neill, Jen Consalvo, myself and a few others as the "future of DC tech." It was a rather memorable, flattering and humbling moment as I got a chance to rub shoulders with some of the mothers and fathers of technology as we know it. I feel I still have a lot to offer to the advancement of technology so please stay tuned as I share the adventure on SOMEWHAT FRANK.

I had an enjoyable time at the event and thank Washingtonian Magazine and Garrett Graf for writing the 100 DC Tech Titan article. Also fellow "titan" Shashi Bellamkonda from Network Solutions had his camera and snapped these photos (below).

Nick O'Neill & I talking with AOL founder Steve Case & NHL Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis.

Nick O'Neill and I with Ted Leonsis (and Steve Case over my right shoulder).

Check out a few of the videos (below) I captured while attending the event.

Headed to the DC 100 Tech Titan Event from Frank Gruber on Qik.

Hanging at the DC 100 Tech Titan Event from Frank Gruber on Qik.

ELEW: Innovating Jazz Music Like A Startup

I have covered a number of start-up companies in my day as I offer my somewhat frank opinion, insight and candid perspective in my quest for new products and services or "shiny objects" as I like to call them. Two weekends ago, I got a chance to take another look at a different kind of start-up, one that goes by the name of ELEW (or ELEWW on Twitter). ELEW is powered by the thunderous energy of jazz pianist Eric Lewis as he has been innovating on jazz as we know it. Eric Lewis has created a new niche which takes alternative rock hits and brings them to the piano. But what makes Eric unique is that when he plays these tunes they sound like he is being accompanied by an orchestra.

So why is Eric Lewis so interesting? Eric's approach to jazz is an innovative one that reminds me of a start-up. Eric's disrupts the traditional jazz system in a way that could fuel some heated debates, similar to how start-ups can disrupt the flow of business as usual. Eric has also created a recognizable set-list which helps ensure people can relate to it. This is similar to the way successful startups often have a clear story that is easy to relate to. Eric has carved out a niche that did not previously exist, which reminds me of the way Twitter and other start-ups have created a need that users did not even know they had.

When.com: A Hyper-Local One Stop Shop

What? Where? and When? That is precisely what you can find out when you visit When.com the fairly new hyper-local site created by AOL. When.com can help you to cut through the clutter and pinpoint restaurants, events and activities in your neighborhood. It also offers the ability to buy tickets and save on dining out with dining deal offers. When.com enables anyone to add an events to extend city event coverage. For example, check out the listing for TECH cocktail DC 5 in Washington, DC today. I recently got a chance to talk with Abha Dasgupta about When.com in episode 78 on SOMEWHAT FRANK adventures in personal technology. Also check out the full TECH cocktail DC 5 preview.

Entrepreneurs Can Change The World

I found this video titled "Entrepreneurs Can Change The World" to be very inspiring as explains the power of entrepreneurship on society today. I hope you enjoy it. It was created by Grasshopper.com an "advanced phone service for entrepreneurs."

How does this video make you feel?

Exploring the Amazon Kindle 2

I have been having quite a bit of Kindle envy as Amazon launched both the Kindle 2 and the Kindle DX. The Amazon Kindle 2 enables users to carry all their reading materials at one time in a sleek 6 inch screen. The Amazon Kindle DX is a larger version with a 9+ inch screen which offers a better reading experience for newspapers and magazines. Both are the future of the publishing medium and save a lot of paper!

I recently got a chance to talk with, Kindle 2 owner, Bob Gurwin as he shared his experiences and opinions about the Amazon reading device. Check out episode 77 on SOMEWHAT FRANK (above) as we explore the Kindle 2 with envy.

Intel Sponsors "Geeks" The New Rock Stars

Intel launched an new video campaign yesterday (above) that celebrates what makes Intel different than a lot of other companies. Intel supports culture, personality, heroes and this new video titled "Sponsors of Tomorrow," exemplifies this point. As an Intel Insider brand ambassador, I am pleased to say that Intel has helped support my geekdom, curiosity and general pursuit of happiness. Intel has helped change the world for over 40 years and knowing what Intel is working on in the areas of health, environment and science I am sure that it will continue.

Crowdsourcing Discussed With GeniusRocket

I got a chance to talk with Peter LaMotte of Washington, DC based startup GeniusRocket this past March right after the much debated "Is Spec Work Is Evil?" panel session at SXSW Interactive in Austin, Texas. We discussed GeniusRocket's mission and take on crowdsourcing. GeniusRocket also has an interesting crowdsourcing story about the creative video that SXSW used this year which Peter will also share.

This video interview with Peter LaMotte got lost in the SOMEWHAT FRANK video queue but I just found it and wanted to share the video as episode 76 on SOMEWHAT FRANK. I hope you enjoy our pre-coffee talk at the Crepery in Austin, Texas about crowdsourcing.

Speaking at Bootstrap Maryland Conference

I am excited to be speaking at Bootstrap Maryland Conference today on the campus of University of Maryland. My panel session is at 11 a.m. EST (shown below) has a great cast of local thought leaders in the space and we will look to help start-ups and entrepreneurs understand what you can do to get your message about your product, brand or service out there.

How to market inexpensively with social media, events, and creative public relations Confirmed Panelists: Aaron Brazell, Peter Corbett, Frank Gruber, Kaitlyn Wilkins (moderated by Mario Armstrong)

I will be streaming some videos live from the event so stay tuned to SOMEWHAT FRANK on Qik (below):

Headed to Bootstrap Maryland

Getting Ready for Bootstrap Maryland Panel

Getting Technology Right Session at Bootstrap Maryland

Success Stories in Bootstrapping

Special thanks to Jared Goralnick for organizing the event, it takes a lot time and hard work and I appreciate it. Thanks for having me participate.

Talking Start-ups, Bootstrapping & Lifestreaming

It was a pleasure as always to get a chance to sync up with Greg "The Trend Junkie" Cangialosi the CEO of Baltimore-based Blue Sky Factory in San Francisco today. I had him swing by to do his Thursday afternoon live show BlueSkyFactory.tv from the Bebo office.

We discussed a number of topics including start-ups, shiny objects of the Web, bootstrapping, entrepreneurship, building community anywhere, TECH cocktail, SOMEWHAT FRANK and my recent work at AOL as part of the People Network group which includes AIM, Bebo, ICQ and Socialthing and life-streaming products. We are also were joined by Jean-Paul Cozzatti the Development / Product Engineering Lead at Bebo to talk about the updates for Bebo that went live this past December and February as well as a hint as to what is to come in the coming months.

Tune into the video above to watch episode #7 of Blue Sky Factory TV (above).

Visiting Intel Portland Today

Today as part of the Intel Insider program, a social media brand ambassador program, I am visiting Intel's Portland, Oregon microchip manufacturing facilities. I am excited to be in Portland for the first time and look forward to learning how they make chips. I will most likely be streaming some videos today and tomorrow via Qik and UStream.TV on my iPhone so be sure to check back (videos streams shown below). I will be using Brightkite, Flickr, Tumblr, Facebook and Twitter to keep you updated on how things are going.

SOMEWHAT FRANK on Qik:

Headed to find Intel HQ in Portland

Outside Intel FAB 20 with Intel Insiders

Clear WiMax Ride in Portland

Segway With WiMax

Intel Health Gadget

Intel My Wifi Demo Lab

Hopefully my iPhone will have enough juice to keep the content flowing all day long. Our day concludes at the Social Media Club Portland Tweetup event tonight with the rest of my Intel Insider pals, so if you are in the area come by and say hello!!!

Netbook vs. Notebook Faceoff

I recently got a chance demo a couple of very unique but different Dell PC's with Intel processors inside as I looked at the Dell Studio 15 notebook and the Dell mini 9 netbook. The Dell Studio is a heavy duty home studio laptop with a Blu-ray drive and is powered by the Intel Centrino 2 processor. The Dell mini is a shiny little netbook that sports the Intel Atom processor (Intel's smallest chip) inside. I carried the Dell mini on the road while in Austin, Texas at SXSW Interactive and loved its light weight size and capablities while on the go. Check our episode 75 on SOMEWHAT FRANK and I hightlight the two computers as they go head to head. Which would you chose if you had to pick between the two?