Here is what you may have missed this week:

• Facebook Stirs Controversy, Allows Graphic Content - Reversing a ban on graphic content, Facebook is again allowing users to post violent images or videos if the intent is to condemn, not glorify, the acts depicted, the BBC reported Monday.
• Vine, Fastest Growing App - Vine grew 403% this year alone, making it the fastest growing app worldwide. See what else made the top 10 list.
• Netflix Now Has More Than 40 Million Members - Netflix revealed in its third quarter earnings report that it had 29.9 million paid subscribers as of the end of September, up from 28.6 million at the end of June. By comparison, HBO has 28.7 million subscribers.
• #LastToTheParty Instagram Officially/Finally Coming to Windows Phone - "Our ultimate goal is to bring Instagram to everyone who wants to use it," Instagram co-founder and CEO Kevin Systrom said in a statement. "We're looking forward to watching the Windows Phone community use Instagram to capture and share beautiful moments in the coming weeks."
• Microsoft Reportedly Testing Google Glass Competitor - The Wall Street Journal reports that Microsoft is testing prototypes for a device similar to Google Glass, which includes a camera and Internet capabilities. Microsoft has reportedly been in contact with Asian manufacturers to supply components for the device.
• Americans Use the Most Mobile Minutes in the World - Americans spend more time on their mobile phones than anyone else in the world. The average American logged 356 monthly minutes of outgoing calls in 2011. The average German only logged 78 minutes of outgoing calls each month.

I can't lie. I want a pair of Google Glass.
I really want a pair, but I also don't want to pay the price tag to have them. There are some developers out there giving them out so that would be a great option. They want you to test their software in return for having a pair of Glass. I'm okay with that, I'll be a guinea pig. Google is/was giving them out too... but only to the select few. (They had this #ifIhadGlass campaign going for awhile to choose a lucky few recipients but it appears that contest has since been closed.)

As some sort of show of worthyness these people ask, "Why do you want Google Glass?" and "What will you do with Glass?"

These are such loaded questions. I feel obligated to give them this long, monumental speech about how I believe the technology behind Google Glass will change the world... bring world peace... end hunger. I feel like I need to dazzle them with the extensive research I've done on augmented reality and what this technology means for society. Or I feel like I need to pitch to them some software I created and want to test (which I haven't done and don't have the knowledge or skill set to even attempt).

But truthfully, here is Why I Want a Pair of Google Glass:

1. AR is pretty sweet
2. I like technology, but I'm not techie
3. I don't look too terrible in glasses

LET'S CELEBRATE THIS BLESSED HOLIDAY WITH SHOUTING FROM THE ROOFTOPS (AKA THE INTERNET)!

CLICK TO ENLARGE

This new(ish) app was recently brought to my attention called Pulse by BioBeats, which makes music based on the tempo of your heartbeat to generate music based on your bio metrics.

Summary by Healthworks Collective:

BioBeats and the app, Pulse, use Adaptive Media and want to help the people that use the app live more engaging, healthier lives.

Pulse uses the optical sensor in the iPhone camera to detect the changes in color in your finger as the blood flows through it. All you have to do is hold your finger over that sensor for a minute and the app determines the heart rate and makes music off that tempo.

BioBeats was formed in 2012 when two classically trained musicians met with Nadeem Kassam, an entrepreneur who got interested in heart rate and stress following a burnout that forced him to pay more attention to wellness and healthy living. Kasaam believes that healthcare needs a revolution to make it fun and entertaining so that more people will engage in the idea of lasting wellness.

The app recently teamed up with pop group Far East Movement and invited users to stream their heartbeats in to the studio. 1.5 million fans responded to the invitation and the event was a massive success.

Kassam explains, “In the consumer space it’s really about awareness – the fans hadn't thought about monitoring their heart, but the app might turn more and more people onto self-monitoring and working towards prevention.”

They recently won the IC Tomorrow Digital Innovation Contest for Clinical Excellence award for improving digital health innovation. The prize consisted of a grant to work with the University College of London to develop a clinical application for Pulse. They will be working on producing a waveform a bit like an electrocardiograph, or ECG. This can provide clinicians with information about the way the heart is functioning, how much blood is being pumped and the distance between the beats.

From the BioBeats website: "BioBeats believes everyone should have the opportunity to learn about their health and have access to healthcare. Modern technology is enabling our visions. BioBeats builds technologies that respond not only to heart beats, breaths and movement, but also to our evolving lifestyles. We will help power the digital health revolution."

My Review

I've been feeling particularly stressed out lately due to normal life things and I decided to give Pulse a try--mainly as distraction.

I opened the App Store and searched for Pulse. Bad idea. Do you know how many apps are named Pulse that come up before this one? A lot. But eventually I found it and it was free so, so far so good.

Once I opened Pulse I arrived at the first navigation screen:


I immediately had to make a decision between "Single" and "Event." There was no explanation or distinction between each choice so I arbitrarily choose "Event" because that sounded more fun and I was ready to party with this app.

I clicked on Event and my camera flash came on with a prompt to place my finger over the camera. I kept my finger on the lens for a few minutes and nothing happened. I took it off and the prompt came back up to put my finger back on the lens. So I did. And I waited. Then I saw this screen.

The second screen shows what I'm assuming are genres-ish of the music you can create. Let's be honest, I tried them all. I recommend Dubstep.

Once you click on a genre, your flash will turn on and you will be prompted again to place your finger over the camera lens. After a second you'll start to hear a digitized version of your heartbeat which will then start to transform into a techy song with a twin tempo to your heartbeat.

Your screen will display a biometric chart showing your vitals in real time.


So you may be looking at the above picture and thinking, "Cool! But what does it mean?" And you're not alone.

Once I listened to my personalized beat, I referred back to the screen to see my biometric output but all I could find was this circle chart that I really couldn't tell what any of it meant. I thought this was supposed to be part of some healthy lifestyle revolution?

Let's read their statement from their website again... "BioBeats believes everyone should have the opportunity to learn about their health and have access to healthcare. BioBeats builds technologies that respond not only to heart beats, breaths and movement, but also to our evolving lifestyles. We will help power the digital health revolution."

How is this app helping me to learn about my personal health so I can make changes to live a more healthier lifestyle if it doesn't give me interpretations and conclusions drawn from my biometrics? Does that just make the data useless? Yes, it gives me a catchy song to listen to for a few minutes but how am I supposed to "self-monitor" like Kasaam  says they're going for? There's no long term data collection for comparing and there's no explanation of your data or inferences. This makes self-monitoring a little unrealistic.

For the entertainment value, Pulse is pretty cool for about 10 minutes... until you've exhausted your six song options and the app sucks your battery dry. But as a healthcare tool, it's just not useful. They talk a big game and it sounds really cool--who knows maybe there are going to be some updates in the future--but it's pretty disappointing and lackluster.

I don't think there is any question that we are at the dawn of smart cars. Soon the frustrations of forgetting where you parked, unknown car troubles, and poor driving habits will be in the past thanks to new advances in automotive technologies--including vehicle locators, fuel efficiency tracking, and mobile car care.

Mobile technology is driving auto innovation, from Android-powered cars to augmented reality.

With most manufacturers making connected cars by 2015, what are drivers looking for in auto tech? They want their vehicle to be an extension of themselves--an extension of their smartphone and all generations and both genders show high potential to purchase connected and app-linking technologies but safety must always come first.

Augmented Reality can now deliver important information to drivers in a way that’s accessible and consumable, but also less intrusive or distracting than previous methods. And the dawn of the “Android Car” might not be as far off as you think – we could be buying cars running entirely on Google’s mighty mobile OS before the end of the decade.

To read about these future of automotive technologies plus cyber attacks on cars, automated driving, and more, check out this trend report by Mutual Mobile you can ready about how car manufactures are using mobile to drive auto advancements and what that means for your future.

This trend report is really a broad overview and crash course into automotive tech. It's pretty simple and not too technical. I highly recommend it for people who just have a general curiosity for technology but don't know much about cars.

Click here to download Mutual Mobile's Automotive Trend Report: Volume 1.

And if you enjoy this report, look out for the follow-up issue coming soon. The future issue will go even deeper, covering advances like how you'll use your smart phone to buy a car, how Mercedes-Benz is using scannables to aid first aid responders, and why Ford is moving away from touchscreens.

Lately I've gotten into the habit of sharing all of these great resources I find on the internet that I think other people would also find useful--everything from ebooks to webinars! Here is another free webinar that I think will be great for understanding how to use your fans to do your marketing for you...
Consumers' increasing aversion to social advertising by brands is forcing marketers to shift the way they create content and market to consumers. Instead, the leading marketers are turning to their advocates to help them more effectively create content and share the brand's stories.

Advocates create high-quality content that performs better – it is more trusted (92% trust advocate content), receives more engagement (up to 10x), and reduces marketing costs significantly (by 100x). Marketers also have opportunities to leverage this rich content by repurposing in paid and owned channels where it performs up to 10x better than content generated by companies.

In this webinar, they aim to share the best practices you need to effectively empower power advocates to create high-performing content.

Register to learn:

• Why advocate content is 100x more effective than brand-created content 
• How to find passionate brand advocates and power them to create content that tells your brand story 
• How to measure the effectiveness of an advocate-based content strategy

Click here to register for this free online webinar.

In case you might have missed it, here are all the top stories of the week:

• New Twitter Feature Lets You DM Those Not Following You - The social network is rolling out a new option in settings that lets you opt to receive direct messages from anyone who follows them, even if you don't follow them back. The feature, which was first spotted by users Monday night, is not yet available for everyone.
• iPad 5 and iPad Mini 2 Rumor Roundup - Apple sent invitations to members of the press for an event to be held at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater in San Francisco on October 22, 2013, which will mostly cover the iPad.

Apple sent invitations to members of the press for an event to be held at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater in San Francisco on October 22, 2013, which will mostly cover the iPad.

Here's what you missed this week in the world of social media and technology:

• Facebook Simplifies Ad Buying - On Tuesday, the social network unveiled a major overhaul of both its basic ad-buying platform, Ads Manager, and its more sophisticated offering, Power Editor, both of which now boast a more streamlined interface.
• China Has More Internet Monitors Than Soldiers - China has 2 million people working as online monitors — a new estimate that reveals the breadth of the country’s massive online censorship and surveillance systems. The monitors outnumber China’s 1.5 million active military personnel.
• Apple Will Hold Fall iPad Event on October 22 - People familiar with Apple’s plans say the company will hold its next invitation-only event on Tuesday, October 22. The focal point of the gathering will be the latest updates to the company’s iPad line, but the new Mac Pro and OS X Mavericks will likely get some stage time as well.
• Comcast Subscribers Can Soon Watch TV via Twitter - NBCUniversal and Comcast announced Wednesday that they have entered into a partnership with Twitter that will let "millions" of Xfinity TV customers view TV shows and movies via tweets through a new feature called See It.
• Pinterest Rolls Out 'Promoted Pins' Ads - Nearly a month after Pinterest announced it would begin rolling out “tasteful” promoted pins, the feature is finally visible to users starting Wednesday.
• The New Version of FaceBook Page Insights is Here - Earlier this year Facebook invited Page owners to try a new version of Page Insights designed to help create better content and provide admins with more information about the people that visit their pages. On Wednesday, after gathering feedback from the early users, they rolling out the updated Page Insights to all Page owners.

I love TEDxDetroit. I look forward to it like a kid waits impatiently for Christmas! And, as always, TEDxDetroit did not disappoint this year.


I have always rooted for Detroit, showing my support in any way I can, and attending TEDxDetroit is like being a part of a huge Detroit Pep Rally. So many supporters. So many positive-minded people. So many great ideas and bright highlights of the future.

So I started the day by meeting up with an old time friend Joe Carioti who, as you may know, I've podcasted with intensively over the past 10 years on a plethora of subjects--most recently Social Media Meltdown. He introduce me to his friend Alex then introduced us both to his friend Tara. Joe is one of those guys that knows everyone. Not only is TED about the talks but it's about meeting new people and making new connections.

At TEDxDetroit with @katelynshelby @alexissoinman and @Tara_M24 pic.twitter.com/1wM92KLOue
— Joe ~ Speedyf40 (@speedyf40) October 2, 2013

There were so many great, awesome, fabulous, inspiring speakers that took the stage on October 2, 2013 at Cobo Center's new Grand Ballroom. Here are some of my favorite soundbites and highlights from the day:

Even if your worst nightmare comes true, life is still worth living. @Johnubacon #tedxdetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

RT @TEDxDetroit: Your fears are holding you back. If you don't take care of them, they will own you...@Johnubacon #TEDxDetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

It's in our nature to be be creative, connected, collaborative, contribute, and to make a difference. @ManagingThought #tedxdetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

RT @TammieJones: The difference between "and" and "but" in idea generation - excitement vs. life-sucking force @ManagingThought #tedxdetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

Changing the city of Detroit from a city of victims to a city of innovation. Jackie Victor @avalonbread The future looks bright #TEDxDetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

Jackie Victor, owner of Avalon Bread in Detroit, makes a great point here. Detroit is in a big mess and only true innovation will bring it out of that dark place.

We don't live in the City of #Detroit to heal the city. We live in the city for it to heal us. - Jackie Victor #TEDxDetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

Never stop three feet from your millions. - @ishitagupta #TEDxDetroit Don't give up. A life lesson that is invaluable.
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

Show me real success not fleeting success. Real success is based on rock bottom.- @ishitagupta at #TEDxDetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

Spotted some #GoogleGlass in the wild today at #TEDxDetroit! @ Cobo Center http://t.co/OOvcKqTdzW
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

I thought this selfie with the Google Glasses was cleaver. Then later this guy was featured in Jason Vazzano's talk about Vectorform and wearable technologies. Sorry, guy.

It's a beautiful day in #Detroit. Enjoying the break from #tedxdetroit outside. @ Cobo Center http://t.co/J4Ju0iTQ2H
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

It really was a beautiful day. And when we were roaming around Cobo on breaks all pumped up from the talks it felt so good to stand in the sun and bask in Detroit's beautiful skyline.

We're all superheroes. Superheroes love their cities and protect their cities. #TEDxDetroit @ingridlafleur
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

Surgery on a cockroach? Must be a new one for #TEDx! #TEDxDetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

We're all speechless... a remote control cockroach. New innovation by @BackyardBrains for Parkinson's disease! #TEDxDetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

Yes, you're reading that correctly. Backyard Brains did some crazy neuroscience stuff on a cockroach. You can read more about it on their website.

If you want to know what to do with your life, ask your inner 8 year old. - @menloprez at #TEDxDetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

Detroit is a place that knows how to make stuff. It's in our DNA. #TEDxDetroit @menloprez
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

You don't need money. All you need is a lot of good ideas and a lot of red wine. According to @detroitbikes #TEDxDetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

I'll remember the red wine next time!

RT @YazakiNA: Automated driving is happening. GM has been innovating the technologies since the 50s says GMfuturist John Capp #TEDxDetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

Being in automotive and a technology junkie, John Capp's talk abut how automated driving isn't too far away made me so excited! Can you imagine everything we can accomplish during our work commutes when we no longer have to drive or pay attention?! Can you say naptime?

#thisisthelife RT @speedyf40: The Extremely savvy @katelynshelby going nuts tweeting up a storm @TEDxDetroit pic.twitter.com/rT24z91H7U
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

What can I say? Doin' my thang.

All those who succeed go through heartbreaking struggle. @ishitagupta at #TEDxDetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

If people aren't telling you that your'e idea is crazy then it is likely not a very good idea. #TEDxDetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

If you're honest and transparent you earn trust. #TEDxDetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

The guy I took this selfie with earlier was just featured in this #TEDxDetroit talk. http://t.co/dy9QXTySHs @vectorjv #tedxdetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

Like I said earlier, sorry for the selfie. I hope you saw this and didn't think I was too creepy.

At #tedxdetroit and confused what is going on? @charlieleduff is what's going on. #thisishowiexpectedittogo
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

RT @mikekmcclure: Charlie LeBuff is killing it. Freakin straight talk, talking crap and taking names #TEDxDetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

RT @markmichaelsaid: #TEDxDetroit @Charlieleduff always tells it like it is when most people are afraid to #Detroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

Charlie LeDuff, wow. I really have a newfound respect for him and for him telling it like it is. He left the crowd speechless with his bluntness.

People demand choice. People demand local. #tedxdetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

Here is what the mainstream media is saying:

• TEDx Delivers Ideas, Aspirations to Turn Around Detroit Area by Serena Maria Daniels for the Detroit News
• 2013 TEDxDetroit Conference (review + video) by Alexis Wiley for Fox 2.

It's our responsibility to show #Detroit in a positive light. #TEDxDetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

You can lead, you can follow, or you can get the hell out of the way because progress is going to continue. #TEDxDetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

"Come off the edges, come to the middle, and let's work together." -@charlieleduff #tedxdetroit
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

Being amongst a room full of people of this caliber is like no other. #tedxdetroit Here's to next year! http://t.co/vqnEMOFBvr
— Katelyn Davis (@katelynshelby) October 2, 2013

Here's what you've missed this week:

• Apple Is the World's Most Valuable Brand - According to Interbrand's 2013 global brand rankings, Apple has overtaken Coca Cola to become the world's most valuable brand, with its value estimated at a whopping $98.3 billion.
• Justin Timberlake and Jimmy Falon: Hashtags - Jimmy Fallon & Justin Timberlake show you what a Twitter conversation sounds like in real life. They sound silly, but here is a great explanation about why hashtags are important. 
• Apple Working to Resolve iMessages Issues - "We are aware of an issue that affects a fraction of a percent of our iMessage users, and we will have a fix available in an upcoming software update," says Apple in a statement. "We apologize for any inconvenience this causes impacted users."
• Chrome For iOS Bug Shows Private Browsing Search History In Google Mobile Search Bar - A new update for Chrome for iOS adds iOS 7 support, but when you use the search/address bar in Incognito mode in Chrome, that history will show up when you return to standard browsing in Google’s mobile website search bar.
• Rdio Launches Free Music Streaming for iOS and Android - On Thursday Rdio launched a free music streaming service for iOS and Android devices in the U.S., Canada and Australia, the Associated Press reports.
• YouTube Releases MixBit: More Competition for Vine and Instagram Video - Cofounders of YouTube, Chad Hurley and Steve Chen, released the latest video app, MixBit--an iPhone app that lets you record, edit, share videos.And users can also edit and share clips from other users to create their own movies; setting it apart from Vine and Instagram.
• Google Buys Flutter, a Gesture Control Startup - Google has acquired Flutter, a gesture recognition startup, for an undisclosed sum. Flutter developed apps for Mac OS X and Windows that uses the webcam to detect hand gestures and let users control applications like Spotify, Netflix and iTunes.
• Instagram to Start Rolling Out Ads in 'Next Couple Months - Instagram announced Thursday that it will start rolling out ads in the "next couple months." Instagram framed the move as part of an effort to turn itself into a "sustainable business."

I just love HubSpot's ebooks! They short, easy reads that are always straight to the point with no extra funny business. And what's even better is that they're free! I just got a notification about their newest book which is about Twitter use for businesses.

Learn how to master the essentials to better share, engage, and market on Twitter with this ebook from HubSpot.

42% of Twitter users follow brands or companies -- is your business one of them?

Maintaining an effective Twitter presence can be a powerful part of your business' marketing strategy. To help businesses interested in mastering the basics of Twitter, we've put together a complete explanation of how to use Twitter for business.

Used successfully, Twitter can help you develop and promote your brand, interact with your fan base, monitor conversations about your company, promote thought leadership, and much more.

Download HubSpot's comprehensive ebook to learn, step-by-step, how to tackle Twitter as a business tool. Specifically, this guide will teach you:

• The basics, such as Twitter-specific vocabulary 
• 6 ways to set up and optimize your public profile 
• How to use Twitter for business through marketing

Click here to download the free ebook!