REbliss.com » Marketing http://rebliss.com Technology for Real Estate Mon, 08 Aug 2011 19:34:08 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 How To View Google Maps Street View On Your iPhone http://rebliss.com/blog/2011/08/02/how-to-view-google-maps-street-view-on-your-iphone/ http://rebliss.com/blog/2011/08/02/how-to-view-google-maps-street-view-on-your-iphone/#comments Tue, 02 Aug 2011 20:52:08 +0000 Bryan McDonald http://rebliss.com/?p=4796


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Google Maps Street view lets you navigate street level level images of different areas. It is a powerful tool for not only real estate professionals, but anyone buying and selling real estate.

Street View in Google Maps lets you explore places through 360-degree street-level imagery, whether you’re looking at locations in your town or across the globe. With Street View, you can check out a restaurant before going there, find beautiful places around the world to visit on your next vacation, or check out neighborhoods when you’re looking to move. via Google

How To View Google Maps Street View On Your iPhone

Google Maps has a good web app you can access from your smartphone by going to maps.google.com. However, if you want to view Street View on your iPhone, you will have to use the map app that comes pre-installed on you iPhone.

Step 1. Launch Maps, the map app.

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Step 2. Type in an address, business name, or landmark.

To view Street View, click the icon button next to the address or business name. Clicking the arrow button will take you to a description about that address.

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Clicking the icon will take you directly to the the Street View. You can scroll around 360 degrees to view everything around that area.

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You can travel down the street by clicking the white arrow in the road. There is also a compass in the lower right hand corner that shows what direction you are looking.

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Don’t know the street address? No problem. You can place a maker anywhere on the map by tapping and holding your finger on the map. A purple “Dropped Pin” will be placed on the map. You can drag the pin anywhere you want and click its icon to view the street view.

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How To View Google Maps Street View On an Android Phone.

Ryan Lundquist, a real estate appraiser in California, made a video to show how to view Google’s Street View on an android phone.

You can view Ryan’s real estate appraisal blog HERE and also follow him on Twitter and Facebook.

How can the real estate industry use Street View?

  • Home buyers can preview a neighborhood before looking at a house. This is especially useful for buyers that are relocating to a different city.
  • Investors can use it to help decide if a property is worth in-depth look.
  • Real Estate agent or for-sale-by-owners can embed a street view map on their website or blog to showcase their home’s area.
  • Home buyers can use it to see how well a subdivisions is maintained.
  • Use street view to see what amenities an area has to offer.

The Bottom Line

While street views are not available for every street and could be several years outdated they are a powerful tool for anyone buying and selling real estate. It is an easy way to to get a feel for an area. I use it all of the time to view neighborhoods before I do a real estate appraisal.

Being able to access street views on your Smartphone makes them even better.

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35 Quick Google+ Guides, Tips, and Tricks http://rebliss.com/blog/2011/07/18/35-quick-google-guides-tips-and-tricks/ http://rebliss.com/blog/2011/07/18/35-quick-google-guides-tips-and-tricks/#comments Tue, 19 Jul 2011 00:06:58 +0000 Bryan McDonald http://rebliss.com/?p=4741 Post image for 35 Quick Google+ Guides, Tips, and Tricks

Google unveiled its top secret social network on June 28th and it already has 10 million plus users. If you have received an invite and don’t know where to start or just want to know more about it, these 34 quick guides, tips, and tricks should help you learn everything you need to know.

Google+ Guides

1. Google+: The complete Guide. via Mashable.com

2. How to make the most of Google+. via Lifehacker.com

3. Getting started with Google+ via MakeUseOf.com

4. Getting started with Google+. via ChrisBrogan.com

5. Everything You Need to Know About Google Plus and Photos. via Wired.com

6. This Is What It’s Like to Actually Use Google+, Google’s New Social Network [Video]. via Lifehacker.com

7. Google+ explained in 5 short videos. via BusinessInsider.com

8. Concerned about privacy? Here are 5 settings you need to know.
Google+ Privacy: 5 Settings You Need to Know. via CIO.com

9. Still not sure about G+? Chris Brogan gives a good breakdown about what you need to know about Google+.
10 Things CMOs Need To Know About Google.+ via Forbes

10. Concerned about the photos you post to G+?
Getty Images Says Google Plus Terms of Service is “OK” via ReadWriteWeb.com

11. A how-to guide about Google+ created by users and hosted on Google Docs.
Google+ Tips and Tricks via pcworld.com

Google+ Tips & Tricks

12. Sync your G+ updates to other social networks including Twitter and Facebook with Agent G.
Sync Google Plus to Twitter, Facebook & Identi.ca with Agent G via ReadWriteWeb.com

13. Do you want to read your G+ updates in a RSS reader? You can by creating a RSS feed for your Google+ profiles.
HOW TO: Make RSS Feeds for Google+ Profiles via Mashable.com

14. Here is a quick reference guide to some G+ tricks and tips.
Google+ Cheat Sheet via BuzzFeed.com

15. Lifehacker shows you how to use G+ to post your status updates to Facebook. All you need is your Facebook mobile email address and a separate G+ circle.
Update your Facebook status via Google+ without an extension. via Lifehacker.com

16. This video shows you how to easily transfer your Facebook friends to Google+.
How to easily transfer your Facebook friends to Google+ [video] via Alltop.com

17. Your G+ account is tied to your Google profile. Google will not allow anymore private profiles after July 31st.
There Will Be No More Private Google Profiles After July 31 — Here’s What That Means. via BusinessInsider.com

18. Move2Picasa is a web service that will move all of your Facebook photos to G+.
How To Move Your Facebook Photos To Picasa (Soon, Google Photos) In A Flash. via TechCrunch.

19. You can use G+ to help build your personal brand.
5 Ways To Build Your Personal Brand On Google+. via OpenForum.com

20. Do you use Evernote to help stay organized? Now you can share G+ content directly into Evernote.
Share Google+ Content Directly Into Evernote. via Evernote.com

21. Add a Google+ widget to your blog or website for people to follow you.
Google Plus Widget via widgetplus.com

22. Add a G+ widget to your WordPress blog for linking directly to your Google+ profile.
googleCards via WordPress.org.

23. You can share something you find on G+ to your Posterous, Tumblr, or WordPress blog.
Create a circle and add your posterous email address. Then when you find something your want to post, share it to that circle and make sure the Also email box is clicked and G+ will post to your Posterous Blog – this would also work with Evernote and any other email based tool.

Tip and instructions via John Jantsch.

24. How to publish your G+ public feed to your WordPress blog.
I’m sure badges and widgets are coming for G+ but until they do here’s how I published a mini G+ feed on my blog.
First - find you profile #. Then simply use this tool from plusfeed to create an RSS URL with your # -http://plusfeed.appspot.com/yourprofilenumber here, this is an RSS feed for my G+ public feed only (you can actually do this for any public feed if you wanted to publish other people’s feed)
Next I took the RSS feed above and burned it at Feedburner (I know, another Google property.)
Feedburner has a feature called BuzzBoost that makes it pretty easy to republish an RSS and produces the code you need for your widget.
Take that code and create a text widget in WordPress, place it in your theme (you might also add a link back to your profile) and that’s it.
Tip and instructions via John Jantsch.

25. Simple way to give the illusion of an embedded slideshow here on G+.
Upload a series of slides as individual jpegs into a single album on the photo tab and then share the album and the first image shows with a series of images below – make sure you upload them in the order you want with first upload being first slide. Here’s an example.
Tip and text via John Jantsch.

26. Export and backup your G+ stream and +1 sites with Google Takeout.
Google Takeout via Google.com

27. Find public G+ hangouts to join. gphangouts offers a directory of public Hangouts anyone can join. The site shows when the Hangouts are starting and topics to be discussed.
gphangouts via Lifehacker.com

Google+ Extensions and Downloads

28. Download the Enhancer userscript to show the unread item count for Gmail, Reader, and Calendar to G+. It works with Firefox, Chrome, and Opera browsers.
Google+ Enhancer Adds Unread Item Counts for Gmail, Reader, and Calendar to Google+ via Lifehacker.

29. Usability Boost is a Chrome extension will make the Google plus pages flow quite nicely visually. It separates posts and comments. It’s small CSS changes that put the focus on the content. It also fixes the position of the Google navigation bar at the top so it does not get out of sight when you scroll down.
Usability Boost for Google Plus via Chrome Web Store.

30. Google+Facebook is a Firefox and Chrome extension that allows you to connect with your Facebook friends right inside Google+. The extension puts your Facebook news feed into your Google+ interface.
Firefox Add-on: Connect with your Facebook friends inside Google+ via Technology Cloud.

31. Surplus is a Chrome extension that allows you to post and respond to your G+ circles without having to visit a Google site.
Surplus for Chrome Puts Google Plus Everywhere You Browse. Via Lifehacker

32. GTools+ is an extension that allows you to customize the layout and also adds functionality to Google services. It adds a notification counter for Gmail and also Google Reader on the Google+ bar and also allows you some tweaks for your account.
GTools+ Adds Customization Options to Google+ via NirmalTv.com

33. Google+ Ultimate is a Chrome add-on that completely changes the look and feel of Google+.
Google+ Ultimate via Lifehacker.com

34. Google+ Tweaks is another Chrome add-on that changes the layout and design of G+. Safari and Firefox users can use the Adhik addon.
Google+ Tweaks and Adhik via Lifehacker.com

35. Google+ Manager is a Chrome and Firefox extension that adds shortcuts for common Google+ actions.
Google+ Manager for Chrome and Firefox via Lifehacker.com

Just for Fun

1. Do you need some G+ icons for your website? You can download some for free.
Google+ icons. via Dribble.com

2. There is a new G+ URL shotner, G.co, is coming soon.
Google Buys G.Co To Create An Official URL Shortcut For Google Products. via TechCrunch.

3. Google+ for businesses are coming soon.
Over 36,000 businesses may have already signed up for Google+. via TNW.com

4. Is G+ a Facebook killer? Mark Zuckerburg doesn’t think so.
Mark Zuckerburg explains why Google+ won’t beat Facebook (yet). via BusinessInsider

5. Don’t try to put a G+ add on Facebook. Facebook will suspend all of your campaigns.
Google+ Ad On Facebook Is Banned. via TechCrunch.

6. Even though the search giant Google created G+, you can’t search within Google+. But that will be fixed one day soon.
Why Can’t You Search Google+ On Google+? via TechCrunch.

7. How good are G+ Hangouts. They must be good because Dell wants to use them for customer service.
Dell wants to use Google+ Hangouts for customer service. via Gigaom.

8. Google+ might not be a Facebook killer but it does have some killer features.
Five ways Facebook can fight back against Google+. via Macworld.com

9. Will G+ affect Search Engine Optimization?
7 Google Plus Data Points That Could Change SEO. via IgniteSocialMedia.com
How Will Google Plus Affect SEO? via ReadWriteWeb.com

10. Google Plus Doesn’t Need to ‘Kill’ Anything to Be a Winner. via allBusiness.com

11. Google announced it has 10 million Plus users and 1 billion items are shared each day on G+.
Google+ officially tops 10 million users via CNet.com

12. Find the top 100 most popular Google+ users according their followers.
SocialStatistics.com

13. Download the official Google+ iPhone and Android app.
iTunes Link and Android Market Link.

The bottom line

While you might be hesitant to try and learn a new social network, Chris Brogan recommends to think of it as “communication backbone” instead of a “social network”. It allows for private collaboration and works with email instead of replacing it.

Google+ is still an infant with new features on the way. Will Google+ last? I am not sure but Google is definitely committed to it. It will impact search and at the very least you should set up an account for your business once business accounts are supported.

Have you tried Google Plus? What do you think so far?

And be sure and follow me on Google+.

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Cosmic Panda. YouTube’s Experimental Redesign Makes Your Real Estate Videos Look Better. http://rebliss.com/blog/2011/07/12/cosmic-panda-youtubes-experimental-redesign/ http://rebliss.com/blog/2011/07/12/cosmic-panda-youtubes-experimental-redesign/#comments Tue, 12 Jul 2011 16:37:28 +0000 Bryan McDonald http://rebliss.com/?p=4722 Post image for Cosmic Panda. YouTube’s Experimental Redesign Makes Your Real Estate Videos Look Better.

YouTube has released an experimental interface codenamed Cosmic Panda. Videos, playlists and channels have a cleaner interface and darker theme. Content creators will appreciate the removal of some of the clutter that makes it easier to focus on the video.

With nearly 8 years of video uploaded and 3 billion views logged every day on YouTube, it’s clear you like to watch and share YouTube videos. While you’re watching your favorite or new videos, we at the ‘Tube are obsessing night and day over how those videos are presented. Our team is constantly experimenting, tweaking and playing with new ways to make your experience exactly what you’re looking for.via YouTube

So how does Cosmic Panda compare to the older interface?

Older Interface Vs. Cosmic Panda

Channels now have a darker background and have a large thumbnail for each video. The bigger thumbnail looks good but you now have to scroll down the page to view additional videos. There is also a link to featured videos, all videos, and comments at the top of the page.

Original YouTube Channel

YouTube-1

Here’s what browsing a channel in Cosmic Panda looks like:

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Video playlists have a new design with a black background and the video is front and center with distractions minimized. Playlists now have a widescreen look and Cosmic Panda makes it very easy to go from from episode to episode. The video title has also been  moved to just below the video.

Original YouTube Playlist:

:YouTube-1a

And here’s what the playlist viewing experience looks like in Cosmic Panda:

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If you have a YouTube channel, you can choose from between four layout options. They are all based on the idea of horizontal strips below the main video instead of down the side.

You can Cosmic Panda by visiting youtube.com/cosmicpanda. If you don’t like it you can disable it from YouTube’s control panel.

The Bottom Line

Overall, the redesign is less cluttered and appears to be more focused on content, which is good for anyone who hosts their videos on YouTube.

I would like to see more options to customize channel pages with background images and color schemes. Hopefully this feature will be added in the future.

Give it a try for yourself and tell us what you think in the comments!

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Thrutu Lets You Share Contacts, Photos & More During A Phone Call [Android App] http://rebliss.com/blog/2011/06/26/thrutu-lets-you-share-contacts-photos-more-during-a-phone-call-android-app/ http://rebliss.com/blog/2011/06/26/thrutu-lets-you-share-contacts-photos-more-during-a-phone-call-android-app/#comments Mon, 27 Jun 2011 02:29:08 +0000 Bryan McDonald http://rebliss.com/?p=4595

Have you ever had problems giving your contact information to someone over the phone, having to repeat your email or web address? While there are numerous apps, including regular text messages, that can share your contact information, Thrutu is aiming to simplify the process.

Thrutu is an Android app that extends the functionality of traditional phone calls by letting you share contact information, photos, location, and more, while on the phone with just a touch of a button.

Share location, photos, and more – without leaving the phone call.

Thrutu brings new fun and function to the phone call. Share location, contacts, photos and more – all at the touch of a button. It’s so simple that you’ll wonder why phone calls couldn’t always work this way.

The app comes with six buttons. You can share contact information, your GPS location, share photos, and doodles. All without interrupting your phone call.

How Can The Real Estate Industry Use This App?

  • Easily share contact information while on the phone. Contact details will appear instantly in the other caller’s address book.
  • Share your location. Meeting your spouse or client to look at a house that is for sale? You can share your location and see each other’s position on a map, updating live as they move. The map also has a pen tool, so users can show each other what direction or area they’re referring to by drawing on the map.
  • Share doodles. Are you working on a new idea for your business? If one user presses the doodle button, a whiteboard pops up on both screens. Users can draw, share sketches, or annotate photos during a call.
  • The Meet Me button lets you quickly find the best place to meet in person.

While the app works the best if both users have the app, Thrutu also works if only one user has it installed. If a Thrutu user is calling somebody without the app, items like photos, locations, or contacts are shared as SMS messages.

You should note that the app only works on phones running on GSM networks like AT&T’s and T-Mobile’s in the US. That’s because those networks can handle voice and data traffic at the same time.

The app also allows developers to create “buttons” for the app. It will be interesting to see what is developed for Thrutu.

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The Bottom Line

Much of Thrutu’s functionality is already available on smartphones, but you have to use multiple apps to use all these features. Thrutu simplifies that process by giving you a single unified interface to share information during a phone call.

Do you share information while on a phone call? I don’t think I ever have. I usually wait until I hang up and text photos or contact information. This new app is interesting and is looking to make the process of sharing information while on a phone easier and more common.

The app is FREE and available in the Android Market: Android Market Link.

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Shoot 3D Real Estate Videos With Your iPhone http://rebliss.com/blog/2011/06/08/shoot-3d-real-estate-videos-with-your-iphone/ http://rebliss.com/blog/2011/06/08/shoot-3d-real-estate-videos-with-your-iphone/#comments Wed, 08 Jun 2011 20:40:44 +0000 Bryan McDonald http://rebliss.com/?p=4411 Post image for Shoot 3D Real Estate Videos With Your iPhone

Sthreeam is a KickStarter project that adds another camera sensor to an iPhone via a dongle. Just launch the app, plug it into your iPhone, and your are ready to shoot both 3D photos and videos. The photos and videos can be shown on either 2D TVs using the anaglyphic glasses, or on 3DTVs with active shutter shades.

Sthreeam: A plug-and-play device that gives your iPhone the capability to take 3D photos and videos that can be displayed on conventional 2D TV and computer screens using Red-Cyan glasses, and on specially-designed 3D screens. via KickStarter


There are two versions of the Sthreeam. Streeam 3.2 costs $50 and can take 3.2 MP 3D photos. Streeam 5.0 is $70 and can take 5.0 MP photos and record video in VGA at 30fps. According to the video above, the iPhone app for the device will be free.

So far Sthreeam has raised $4,129 of their $50,000 goal before they get funded.

Check out their KickStarter page for more information.

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The Bottom Line

The device is a great idea but might be priced a little high at $90.00. Of course, $90 does give you the easy plug and play ability to take 3D videos and you won’t have to buy another 3D video camera.

3D video is slowing becoming more popular and there are several consumer grade 3D video cameras available now. YouTube even supports 3D videos. But not everyone likes 3D movies or has a 3D TV.

Will the real estate industry ever use 3D videos to market homes? Would you want to watch a 3D Virtual Tour or would you rather view and interactive panoramic photo? Maybe high quality professional photographs are what are needed to help sell real estate.

It will be interesting to see if and when 3D videos are used in the real estate industry.

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Your Facebook Friends Now Power Your Internet Search Results And Why It Matters To Real Estate Professionals. http://rebliss.com/blog/2011/05/18/your-facebook-friends-now-power-your-internet-search-results/ http://rebliss.com/blog/2011/05/18/your-facebook-friends-now-power-your-internet-search-results/#comments Wed, 18 May 2011 18:23:31 +0000 Bryan McDonald http://rebliss.com/?p=4306 Post image for Your Facebook Friends Now Power Your Internet Search Results And Why It Matters To Real Estate Professionals.

Until recently, when you searched the internet, your search results were based on links and keywords. That is all changing. Not only does your internet social circle affect your search results in Google, Bing now incorporates what your Facebook friends “Like” into your search results.

Bing search results will show not only what your Facebook friends like, but what was liked by people you don’t even know. Bing is leveraging the opinions of everyone around the web to bring you relevant search results.

Bing will actually reorder search results based on friends’ Likes (in other words, your friend’s recommendations won’t just be relegated to a standalone widget, they’ll influence the Ten Blue Links). If you run a query that matches information in a friend’s profile (but not necessarily their ‘Likes’) then Bing might show a link to their profile too. Via TechCrunch.

Here is a snapshot of how it works:

Click HERE if you can not see the video above.

Why does this matter to real estate professionals?

Would you rather ask a stranger or a friend for advice about hiring a real estate agent, appraiser or home inspector?

  • When someone searches Bing for Real Estate or a service like home inspections, your company website or blog will show how many people like it. This could help drive new traffic and build trust.
  • Your Facebook profile might show up in the search results if your friends search for Real Estate.
  • Families moving to your town could see your social network profile next to links about school systems, local attractions, and restaurants.

Search is now more than just links and SEO. Search is about relationships.

How to get started with Bing Social Search

Step 1. Go to Bing.com

Step 2. Log in with your Facebook username and password.

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That is it. Your Facebook friends will now help power your internet search results.

You can also install the Bing Bar. It is free and lets you “Like” any webpage you view and gives access to Facebook, email, weather and more.

Download the Bing Bar at toolbar.discoverbing.com.

Hands on with Bing’s new social search

None of my Facebook friends had liked any real estate related pages but I did search Bing for my hometown “Warner Robins’” and saw results based on my friends “Likes”.

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Don’t worry, your search results won’t be hidden under a ton of Facebook “Likes”. According to an article in Fast Company, Bing’s social search is just getting started. Stefan Weitz, director at Bing, told Fast Company that Microsoft has plans to bring in social signals from other sites, such as Twitter, Yelp and more.

Bing isn’t the only one interested in the opinions of your social network.

Google’s search results rely on Twitter data and then secondarily on sources like personal blogging platforms. While it is missing Facebook, your social network matters to Google too. Click here to learn more about Google’s social search and why it is important to real estate professionals.

Bottom Line

Bing is mining data from social networks to make search results for relevant. Your network is becoming more important and impacts all of your searches. Your network could also help drive your blog or website to the front page of Bing’s and Google’s search results.

Every real estate professional needs to start expanding their reach and connections, not only on Facebook, but on Twitter, Yelp, and any other popular social network.

Learn more about social search at social.discoverbing.com.

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CameraSim Is A Free Web App That Helps You Master Your Digital SLR Camera [Real Estate Photography] http://rebliss.com/blog/2011/05/16/camerasim-is-a-free-web-app-that-helps-you-master-your-digital-slr-real-estate-photography/ http://rebliss.com/blog/2011/05/16/camerasim-is-a-free-web-app-that-helps-you-master-your-digital-slr-real-estate-photography/#comments Mon, 16 May 2011 15:58:02 +0000 Bryan McDonald http://rebliss.com/?p=4266 Post image for CameraSim Is A Free Web App That Helps You Master Your Digital SLR Camera [Real Estate Photography]

A DSLR camera can be a little overwhelming if you have never used one before. You can change the ISO, aperture, shutter speed, focal length, lighting, and distance. Read the manual as many times as you want but it is hard to imagine what the photograph will look like until you actually try it.

CameraSim is a free SLR camera simulator that lets you experiment with all of those settings and instantly seeing how they affect a photograph.

How to use CameraSim to master your Digital SLR Camera

Go to CameraSim.com to see an example photo and the camera’s default settings.

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The example photograph on the website shows a child at a playground holding a pinwheel that is spinning. The pinwheel actual spins so you can change your shutter speed and see what’s necessary to avoid motion blur.

Modify any settings, Lighting, Distance, Focal Length, ISO, Aperature, and Shutter Speed. You can also change the mode to Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, or go fully Manual.

Once you have the settings like you want, press “Snap Photo”.

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You will instantly see how your settings affect the photograph.

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Do you want the background in focus? Do you want the pinwheel in motion? Play around with the settings until you get the picture you want.

Don’t worry if you don’t know what the settings do. At the bottom of the page there is a list of the settings their description.

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Bottom Line

CameraSim gives a realistic view of what it is like to use a DSLR camera right from your browser. Be sure to check it out if you are thinking about getting a DSLR camera and want to learn how to use it.

If you want to learn more about digital cameras, Digital Photography School has an in-depth guide on how to use your Digital Camera.

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olloclip Is An All In One Wide-Angle, Fisheye, & Macro Lens For Your iPhone http://rebliss.com/blog/2011/05/13/olloclip-is-an-all-in-one-wide-angle-fisheye-macro-lens-for-your-iphone/ http://rebliss.com/blog/2011/05/13/olloclip-is-an-all-in-one-wide-angle-fisheye-macro-lens-for-your-iphone/#comments Fri, 13 May 2011 17:55:56 +0000 Bryan McDonald http://rebliss.com/?p=4226 Post image for olloclip Is An All In One Wide-Angle, Fisheye, & Macro Lens For Your iPhone

The olloclip is a quick-connect lens for the iPhone 4 that includes a fisheye, wide-angle and macro lenses.

The lens slides onto the corner of your iPhone. It will automatically align itself over the camera and your phone will auto focus as normal. Just flip the lens over to switch from one lens to another. It’s that easy.

It is currently a funded Kickstarter project that has raised $21,602 from 414 backers.

olloclip, a simple and elegant solution to a problem that has until today not been solved, “how do I get extra lenses on my iPhone?”  via Kickstarter

How can the real estate industry use the olloclip?

It can be difficult to take photos of the  interior of homes with an iPhone. Because the fisheye creates about a 180-degree field of view and the wide-angle is about double the normal view of the iPhone, it will be the perfect companion to any real estate professional that uses their iPhone to take photos or videos for their real estate business.

  • The wide-angle and fisheye lens will make it easier to take interior photos of homes.
  • Use the fisheye lens to take a photo or video of the spectacular view a property has.
  • The wide angle lens will make it easier to record videos with the iPhone so you can capture more.

How Much is the olloclip?
If you live in the USA you can purchase the olloclip by June 6th @ 6:14 PM for $45. The project is currently funded on Kickstarter with 413 backers. Retail price will be about $60.

What is included with the olloclip?
You get an iPhone 4 olloclip with Fisheye, Wide-Angle & Macro lenses, lens caps for both ends, a microfiber lens cleaning cloth that is also a bag that you can put the olloclip in to keep it safe while it is in your pocket.

Will the olloclip work with my iPhone case?
Unfortunately not. The olloclip was designed to work with a ‘naked’ or ‘caseless’ iPhone 4. Considering the 1000′s of cases on the market it would be impossible to design a solution that works with all of them, much less a small portion of them.

When will the olloclip ship?
According to the website, it will ship mid to late June.

Bottom Line

The olloclip looks like a great lens for anyone that takes a lot of photos or videos with their iPhone.

I am a little disappointed that is does not work with any iPhone cases. I keep a case on my iPhone to protect it from bumps and scratches. But taking the case off to use the olloclip probably isn’t a deal killer for anyone needing a better lens for their iPhone.

Check out the Kickstart page for more information and their Flickr galleries to view some pictures taken with the olloclip.

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Google Goggles For Android Gets Improved Business Card Recognition http://rebliss.com/blog/2011/05/10/google-goggles-for-android-gets-improved-business-card-recognition/ http://rebliss.com/blog/2011/05/10/google-goggles-for-android-gets-improved-business-card-recognition/#comments Tue, 10 May 2011 19:17:53 +0000 Bryan McDonald http://rebliss.com/?p=4185 Post image for Google Goggles For Android Gets Improved Business Card Recognition

Google Goggles is a visual search application that lets you search the web by taking a photo. Launch the app, take a picture of an object, a book cover for example, and Google will return with search results for the book, all without typing.

Google Goggles for Android received an update that brings new features including better business card recognition. Not only does the update improve the text recognition, but it also pulls the info out of the card to make it really easy to add that person as a contact.

Business card recognition is one of the most popular uses of Google Goggles, so we’re rolling out some new updates to make the experience even quicker and easier. Additionally, instead of simply recognizing the content as text, Goggles now recognizes the information as a contact, making it easier to add to your phone’s contact list. via Google

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The update also brings a few other features including enhanced search history with notes support. Now when you take a picture with Google Goggles, you can add a note to the photo. That note is private to you and is searchable within your personal history.

Google Goggles is a fun way to search the web and works with text, landmarks, books, contact info, artwork, wine, and logos.

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The Google Goggles update is available for Android 1.6+ devices. Download it in the Android Market: Android Market Link.

While the newest update is only available for Android, Google Goggles is also available for iPhonesBlackberry, and several other phones.

How long before Google Goggles becomes the visual search tool for real estate? Image taking a photo of a house and Google returning the age, square feet, lot size, bedroom/bathroom count, and the last sales price. It is not that far off. The app could use your phone’s GPS to determine your location and most of the data about the house is already available on web for free. This would be an amazing way to search for real estate.

The Bottom Line

There are numerous apps available for digitizing business card you receive. This latest update will be useful if you use Google to store your business contacts.

How do you store the business cards you receive?

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Create Real Estate Videos On Your iPhone & iPad With Videolicious http://rebliss.com/blog/2011/05/03/create-real-estate-videos-on-your-iphone-ipad-with-videolicious/ http://rebliss.com/blog/2011/05/03/create-real-estate-videos-on-your-iphone-ipad-with-videolicious/#comments Wed, 04 May 2011 01:53:52 +0000 Bryan McDonald http://rebliss.com/?p=4111 Post image for Create Real Estate Videos On Your iPhone & iPad With Videolicious

Vidiolicious is a free iPhone and iPad app that helps anyone create great looking videos in three easy steps.

The app works by letting the user select photos from their iPhone, record a short video (up to 50 seconds long), and add music. Videolicious automatically puts it all together and creates a video that can be shared via YouTube, Facebook, and email.

Based on patent-pending technology used by some of the world’s largest brands, Videolicious is revolutionizing how video is created.
via Videolicious

Click HERE if you can not see the video above.

How to create a video with Videolicious

Step 1. Select photos for videos from your iPhone’s camera roll. Select photos in the order they need to appear in the video.

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Step 2. Shoot a short video of yourself. The video can be up to 50 seconds long.

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Step 3. Pick some music to make your video rock. The app comes with 6 tracks you can use or you can select music that is already on your iPhone or iPad.

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That is it! Videolicious will automatically edit and layer the clips and photos to create a video.

You can email your video or share it with Facebook or YouTube.

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How the real estate industry use Videolicious

Real estate appraisers can tell a little about their company and services they provide and use photos of homes they have appraised. Videolisious will put it all together into a professional looking video.

Real Estate agents can use the app to make video tours of homes they have listed for sale. They can give a tour of the house and show photos of each area of the house.

Real estate professionals can make short videos about local restaurants or attractions.

Bottom Line

The app has several downsides. You can not use a video that has previously been recorded on your iPhone. For example, if you create a video and decide you want to include different photos, not only do you have to select new photos you also have to record a new video. You also don’t have the option to set how long the photos appear in the video.

However, the app is really easy to use and does a great job of combining the video and photos into a professional looking video. It is well worth trying out if you need to make good looking videos quickly and easily.

The app is compatible with the iPhone 4, iPod touch (4th generation), or iPad 2.

Cost: Free

Download and try the Vidiolicious app for yourself, iTunes Link.

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