I missed a session as I enjoyed the thrill of dealing with unUnited Airlines. More and more this carrier makes me consider the Amtrack alternative. I'm told I missed the enterprise and deep technology segments, which is not so bad.
Here are ones I caught, and for one reason or another, thought worth mentioning.
Cornerworld--Read the script. Claimed to be a new platform to compete with little companies like Facebook, eVite, flickr blog platforms and YouTube. It seems to me to be an authoring toolset that would be pretty neat, except they are trying to be all things to all people, both in business and consumer categories. My experience is that a start up should enter the market to one thing in a focused and magnificent way.
SceneCaster --lets you easily create a 3D environment and build a community that starts there. Uses Google's 3D Warehouse that let's you drop in a huge number of objects into your virtual space. "We want to mainstream the 3D Web."
PeopleJam. Is about building online support systems. It has three components, User-generated video on health related issues, such as someone wanting to avoid adult onset diabetes. A second component provides structured blogging. Third component is an expert directory, featuring famous experts on the varied ways people pursue happiness.
Live Mocha is an Internet-based language teaching system. It shows a copper coin and a silver coin and uses Spanish to show you the difference. It also connects you on the site with native people who will teach and review you on improving your language. This is a new approach and it looks like it would be fun to learn.
Graspr : Brings a new way of thinking about learning. The site is a library of videos that teach anything. Then asks the communiy to add greater depth and context. Examples used, was crown ceiling molding. Second example is jewelry meeting. Finds an expert who uses instructional video, discussion and chat to teach jewelry making because she just so happens to sell jewelry supplies.
Earthmine Platform is a new geo coding system that uses realistic 3D. It's hard to simply describe in words, but this is awesome display of putting real life visual information (the local Starbuck's or library, the detour etc.) and put it on the web.
Myxer introduced Mobilizer by Myxer. It seeks out web content suitable for mobile devices and grabs & stores it. Then offers it for sale to site visitors who will then download it to their mobile dvices. It includes unique wallpaper & ringtones.
Like this morning, the afternoon was a series of solid base hits. A well-produced conference with numerous interesting companies. However, at the end of Day #1--my only day here, there is no one company that hit it out of the park. There are lots of questions about how long these nice features will remain independent before large companies tak e advantage of their multiple little innovations.
Now, the exhibitor pavillion reopens and the demonstrators meet attendees a few at a time. Follow up questions drill further down. There is another cocktail reception tonight then I will be at a press dinner followed by a late night party.
I've said it many times. This is my favorite conference. I like the quality, the social networking and precision. I regret having to leave early. I head out tomorrow morning for BlogOrlando, traveling thanks to my pals at United Air until 10:30 tomorrow night.
Regrets are assuaged by ego. I transform from blogging in the audience to talking on the stage. Better work over the PowerPoint on the flight tomorrow, from my middle seat in the back of coach.
