Marios' Digital Spin Radio

Find your inner scientist and win, and Moms Whirlpool gives you $ for ideas

Mario Armstrong — Wed, 14 May 2008 23:52:14 +0000

On today's 5/14/08 show we had:

- Carrie Passmore about the Discovery Education Young Scientist Challenge (link here). If your child needs help getting their video shot email me your contact info and we will make it happen.

- Audrey Reed-Granger about the Whirpool Mother of Invention Grant (link here)

WEAA Roundtable iPhone & Developer Opportunities

Mario Armstrong — Thu, 08 May 2008 00:03:36 +0000

Tonights roundtable show involved Tanesha, Song, Gwen and myself (Mario). I promised listeners that I would update the website with some of the information that was shared specifically information pertaining to opportunities for software developers. I've blogged and talked about the iPhone opportunity before but tonight I feel the window of opportunity is going to close and I want to make sure as many people participate as possible.

We are dealing with an unprecedented opportunity to develop applications that would run on the iPhone platform. If you are a developer, software engineer or savvy business person that may have a great idea for a program that should be available on iPhones NOW IS THE TIME. Not tomorrow, not next week NOW!

Here's the deal, Apple is allowing developers to download the SDK (software developer kit) this kit provides the information developers need to know about the infrastructure and necessary criteria. Then you get to set the price your willing to charge for your application and you get to keep 70cents of the fee. Apple will offer the application in their iPhone Apps store.

Let's run through a quick example of the potential. Apple is on track to sell 10 mill iPhones, you develop an app that 4% of that audience decides to download = (that would be about 400,000 downloads) take the 400,000 downloads x $.70 (revenue you receive from Apple per download) = $280,000 (and that’s only 1 application you've created, imagine if you had more than 1 app?)

What are you waiting for?

Other relevant information:

The Apple developer program website:
http://developer.apple.com/iphone/program/

Mario Blog with more info:
http://marioa.squarespace.com/blog/2008/3/7/100-million-apple-iphone-sdk-and-austin-powers-team-up-to-ru.html

Apple's press release:
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2008/03/06iphone.html

Big Changes at Verizon

Song — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 00:34:26 +0000

Terry Denson is facing one of technology's toughest challenges: transforming Verizon into a global leader in video services. But then again, this achiever has a habit of whipping expectations - even while a global market is betting against him.

Tech Going Green

Mario Armstrong — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 22:58:45 +0000

Electronic manufacturers are promoting more environment friendly initiatives:

Guests:

Jason Oxman, VP with the Consumer Electronics Association online at: www.ce.org - they also created the new e-friendly tech website: http://www.mygrenelectronics.org

Barbara Kyle, National Cordinator of the Computer TakeBack Campaign - online: http://www.computertakeback.com/

Mark Newton, DELL Corporation, Environmental Policy Manager - online: http://www.dell.com/recycling

Ralph Gilles Interview

Mario Armstrong — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 15:28:56 +0000

Mario sits down to talk with the Dean of Automitive Car Designers - Ralph Gilles at just under 35 years old he has already been inducted to the Automotive Hall of Fame primarily for his most successful design of the Chrysler 300c Motor Trend Car of The Year 2005. We speak with him about his career, the process behind car design, ideas for youth to pursue dreams and the challenges he went through dropping out of college.

Listen or download here - (to download, right click and choose save as)

http://marioa.squarespace.com/storage/Ralph%20Gilles%20show%20mp3.mp3

The Webby Awards & Marios Top 10 websites

Mario Armstrong — Thu, 24 May 2007 00:09:56 +0000

Webby Awards Executive Director David Michael-Davies joins us to discuss how the annual tribute has become the Oscars of the internet. From nominations for the best web sites to entertainment that cuts a new cyberspace edge to on-line banking that works for you, the competition pulls in over 8000 entries from around the globe. And get this - you can participate in the voting process too! Find out this evening what it takes to be considered one of the best and then start compiling your own list. Plus, we'll be in the thick of the action during the awards program in New York City! Stay tuned to the show and our web site for info on our unedited coverage of the Webby Awards. For more on the awards go to: www.webbyawards.com

As I mentioned on the show here are my Top 10 websites you can use:

Internet Addiction - Fact or Fiction?

Song — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 21:35:18 +0000

On the next Mario Armstrong’s Digital Spin, Wednesday at 7pm, fact gets separated from fiction when it comes to Internet Addiction. Four experts come together to debate its validity as a distinct disorder. Some say it’s real and disruptive of lives. Others dismiss it as fantasy. Yet the number of individuals whose lives have been shattered by insatiable cyberspace surfing, love on-line going wrong, and pornography being just a click away is growing steadily. Experts, addiction treatment providers, and skeptics join Mario to weigh in on the latest research and the increasing number of cries for help.

Sony and Stanford Team Up

Song — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 23:55:19 +0000

On the next Mario Armstrong's Digital Spin, Wednesday at 7pm, technology and health care are closing in on a killer. Colin Hill's bio simulation models aim to cut cancer off at the pass. Sony and Stanford University are teaming up to beat Alzheimer's - with a little help from the PlayStation 3. And then some Sanford professors really start something by designing a better Internet from scratch - or at least they think so. They pitch their vision to Mario and you on Wednesday at 7pm.

President Clinton's Office designer and GM's interior design diva

Mario Armstrong — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 21:05:42 +0000

Two women at the top of the design game! Ever notice how the Saturn Aura is designed for comfort, performance and the love of the drive? The General Motors diva behind the interior design joins Mario to explain why the Car of the Year at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit also won its Car of the Year for Women prize. And for Shelia Bridges, former President William Clinton’s Harlem office is just one of her legendary design projects. Female power by design this Wednesday at 7pm.

Guests: Crystal Windham - GM, Automotive Interior Designer -

Winner of 2 Top Honors at the recent North American International Car show- winning "Car of the Year" for the Saturn Aura and "Car of the Year for Women". Ohhhh and did we mention she's just over 30 years young!

Get inspired and get movin!

Sheila Bridges - Owner, Sheila Bridges Design Inc

- a New York-based interior design firm. Named "America's Best Interior Designer" by CNN and Time Magazine, Sheila Bridges founded her own interior design firm in 1994. Clients include, former Pres. Bill Clinton, Sean "Puffy" Combs, Motowns Andre Hartell etc.

More about her online and her portfolio at: http://www.sheilabridges.com

Weds. March 7 - Mario and Friends' First Wednesdays

Song — Sun, 04 Mar 2007 19:25:25 +0000

March madness anyone? It’s the March edition of First Wednesdays with Mario and Friends. And the crew has a lot to say about the on-line political mudslinging between presidential candidates, lies and all. Meanwhile the NCAA has come up with a way to take advantage of the “me” generation. If you have a favorite team get ready. Plus Friday night has been date night over at ABC News with it’s sexual predators stake out. But the crew has some interesting takes on the practice. And two important consumer notes: brace yourself for laws banning laptop use while driving, and you can bid on a parking spot for your cell phone. Yup, it’s March madness on the next Mario Armstrong’s Digital Spin Wednesday at 7pm.

Weds. Feb 21 - Tech Opportunities Knock

Song — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 01:20:46 +0000

If you think career opportunities have fled the world of technology, think again. In fact the Chair of UMBC's Information Systems Department says the best is yet to come. And the 2007 Siemens Teacher's Scholarship winner is preparing to ensure that all kids are prepared for tomorrow's golden digital developments. The 6 fastest growing careers all have the word computer in them. Myths are about to get busted and technology career opportunities are revealed on the next Mario Armstrong's Digital Spin, this Wednesday.

Weds. Feb 7 - Mario and Friends' First Wednesdays

Song — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 01:20:28 +0000

The round table is issuing an SOS call for MTV. It looks like the arbiter of cool is losing its clout. Can a virtual world of 3-D avatars help the network get its groove back? And then, why is Wikipedia in court? The panel debates the scary practice of judges citing the on-line reference source in their decisions. The crew also has plenty to say about the newest form of terrorism - suspicious activity that may actually be a corporate advertising campaign. Then, get the details on Mario’s upcoming interview with Baltimore’s own highflying hero, Astronaut Robert Curbeam.

Weds. Jan 17 - Conquering Mars

Song — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 01:19:24 +0000

An award winning African American MIT inventor is marshalling a tiny army to conquer Mars. And according to the Discovery Channel and 60 minutes, James McLurkin's robotics research has a good shot at doing so. The award-winning MIT innovator joins Mario to talk about how it all began by thinking small. We also speak with teenager Rochelle Rucker who is the recent Sieman's Award winner of $10,000 to talk about being young, gifted and into space flight safety. Lastly we will hear from Carl Mack, Executive Director of NSBE, who is mobilizing thousands of student engineers to become the world's next set of gifted innovators.

Weds. Jan 10 - Live from CES

Song — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 01:12:50 +0000

Mario reports live from the Consumer Electronic show in Las Vegas, Nevada where technology’s tomorrow makes its debut. What’s bigger, better, and never been thought of before? What are the industry leaders forecasting for the future? If it’s turning heads and raising eyebrows, you’ll hear about it on this show.

Weds. Jan 3 - Mario & Friends' First Wednesdays

Song — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 01:09:17 +0000

It’s the 2007 debut of First Wednesday’s with Mario and Friends. The roundtable crew that looks for trouble is ready with a host of hot topics. Your Vista OS is coming with fanfare, fuss, and a serious security flaw. Nintendo’s best game may be defense with its wireless replacement straps offer, but when the call lines open it’s your holiday digital disasters that may steal the show.

7:02 PM EST - How secure should you feel about the Vista operating system when Microsoft is fielding charges of creating a hacker happy environment? The roundtable debates this worldwide crisis of confidence and where your bucks should stop. Plus, according to the crew, your TV may have an identity crisis once you start using it to surf the net. But no one is stopping there. CES, the biggest electronic show in the world is gearing up to rock the digital world.

7:15 PM EST - How do you work a warranty to your best advantage? The crew takes a look at the slippery gray zone of responsibility between the retailer and the manufacturer. And Nintendo is leading the pack with wii replacement straps, and may be beating a bevy of lawsuits as well. The roundtable also looks and laughs at the 2006 sexiest geeks.

7:30 PM EST - Let the holiday horror stories begin! See if your nightmare stacks up to the best (or worst) stories of the season.

7:50 PM EST - Mario’s commentary brings the cyber-side of the New Year into focus.