In the last few days Google has announced some really cool things. The most significant is that Google is leveraging their search engine dominance to give their Google Profiles (see mine here - Brendan’s Google Profile )
So here is what Google is doing, They have begun to show Google profile results at the bottom of U.S. name-query search pages. So when you, or someone else searches your name they will see abbreviated information from Google Profiles at the bottom of the search results. The more complete the profile, the higher the chance yours will show than other people with the same name.
So in effect Google is leveraging their search power to compel to fill out a complete profile. This makes sure they have a relationship with you and know about you – something that is very important to Google. This is smart.
You can read more about this on the Official Google Blog
On the lighter and, for most people that aren’t identity geeks like me, cooler is the new Google Labs . It is now powered by Google App Engine. I just love how Google easts their own dog food. However, it’s not the labs itself that is cool but the two latest experiments. Google Time line and Similar Images. The Time line is cool but it is the similar images that really gets my juices flowing. Check out this search for Kitchens and this one for kitchens but using the red color modifier. You get the idea.
I am out a Web 2.0 Expo with Jeff and Allan from our company, MyFrontSteps.com. Between meetings and sessions we thought we would do a little filming. I have put together this video of us asking people the question: “What have you done to make your house a home”. Disclaimer: before you watch it I want you to know I made it in 1 hour with out access to some of the very best interviews. This because a lot of our footage was shot in HD and I don’t have a way to deal with MTS files yet on my PC.
That said we do have Robert Scoble answering the question. We have other neat people too, like Vannessa Fox but alas many of these will have to wait until I can get the files converted from HD!
Automated valuation systems like those from Zillow or Cyberhomes are very objective. They take data and render an non emotional decision. Most people can understand that home owners certainly have a tough time doing the same but what about bankers? Bankers are supposed to be cold, unemotional calculating machines, and , for the most part they are – except when it comes to their money.
Check out the valuation of this foreclosed home compared to what the bank has set as the minimum bid.
A lot has happened in the last few months. We have been totally engrossed building www.MyFrontSteps.com and I have been neglecting my blog. We participated in a Canadian Trade Mission, released new versions of our software, including our Alpha Homebook Product, and, I am proud to report, we won an award.
Last night we one the SIMA Award for “Most Promising New Company”.
This award belongs to all the great people here at VendAsta – I am super proud of each and everyone of them.
And while 2008 was a year of big change, I believe that 2009 will be a year of even bigger change.The MyFrontSteps and StepRep teams at VendAsta have been hard at work up here in the cold building some really cool stuff!.
In Early March we are set to release a super exciting and innovative social media platform that connects home owners with home service providers.Recently Global TV noticed our efforts and did a little story on us.
So we just moved into our new office this week. lots of offices, lots of common space and lots of designated scrum space. Huge paint on white boards. Fun people. What more could you ask for? I have a much longer and comprehensive post coming on office space, but for now check out some of the photos here.
Last week we closed our first round of VC financing for MyFrontSteps and I have been too busy to blog! The release hit the press Thursday and we were very fortunate to have it picked up by many publishers.
Our local news paper the Star Phoenix also ran a story on VendAsta. I have also done interviews for CBC radio and the Dow Jones Venture Wire. No links for those yet.
Thanks very much to the many people that helped along the way, you know who you are.
Things are starting to come together at MyFrontSteps. We have been selected as a participant on a panel to discuss new real estate technology. The panel is appropriately titled: Changing the industry: 5 ideas at a time . In this venue we will be talking about our StepRep product for home service providers. However, we have been around in the industry long enough to know that “a new tool” for real estate professionals, while exciting, won’t be game changing proposition unless you can bring the consumer along , and en mass at that.
So what, you might ask, do we have for the consumer? Well, were not really saying just yet but we have been experimenting with Common Craft style videos. Here is an early try at a high level partial explanation of MyFrontSteps Like I said, this is one of our very early videos so please be kind.
Some interesting news from the news people at Inman. Jessica is moving on and Joel and Glenn are moving up. All of us at VendAsta are going to miss Jessica.We have gotten to know and appreciate her over the years. Jessica we wish you well in your new adventure. I hope we still have the pleasure of crossing paths.
Congrats to Joel and Glenn. Joel certainly has a a keen insight into the future of real estate marketing. He is especially apt at identifying and dissecting the latest and greatest. Joel you will make a great VP Content.
I have had the pleasure of being interviewed and meeting Glenn over the course of the years.He is a super nice guy with a mild demeanor, but don’t let that fool you.Glenn does his homework and has a way of capturing the essence of the story and getting all the facts. Glenn you will make a great managing editor.
Looks like I am not the only one that likesPiclens (see my Trulia Snapshot review ). YouTube’s head of monetization Shashi Seth has left YouTube-owner Google to become the chief revenue officer at Cooliris to head up monetization of Piclens. I think it is super smart on the part of Cooliris and Kleiner Perkensto start thinking about monetization early on in the game. Look for this same strategy from a really super cool bunch of guys from the North.
StepRep will be even easier to promote, now that it actually exists. ... StepRep Widget. The JimH Crossword Blog: Michael A. Charles, Crossword Animator ...
From the moment seven executives left Point2 Agent , speculation has been rife about what they may be up to. We know they have started a company called VendAsta , ...
MyFrontSteps has just released a new service called StepRep, located at steprep.myfrontsteps.com, to help small businesses and independent contractors manage their online reputation. What makes this service different from others that ...
This entry was posted on December 17, 2008 at 9:10 am and is filed under Culture, VendAsta, Voices. Tagged: Chrome, Gears, Google vs Microsoft, Native Client, Software Development, Web Operating system, Web OS. ... Select Category, Blogroll (3), Brendan King (6), Culture (2), hijinx (1), Lead Capture (12), news (30), Personal Experience (17), Photos (5), Pr […]
Posted by Brendan King 
Posted by Brendan King 
Posted by Brendan King 
