Facebook Rolls Out FB.me URL Shortener

I have noticed that mobile alerts from Facebook have shifted from m.facebook.com to fb.me URLs. While it certainly creates a cleaner URL, it will be interesting to see if this is a step towards other larger initiatives:

- user analytics / fan page data - integration with feed posting and FB Share - focus on 'notes' and external link sharing - Facebook Connect integration (?)

And, based on the above opportunities, it will be interesting to see how (if at all) this impacts folks like Bit.ly (who have become prevalent on Facebook after dominating Twitter).

Sometimes In-Google Twitter Results Verge on Too Much

Though it's a couple days old, I just spotted Google's in-SERP Twitter integration yesterday... and now I am seeing it more and more.

In some instances, the integration is clean and adds clear value.for example, the Windows 7 search results are more powerful with Twitter because the web results are relatively static (meaning the content does not change frequently); therefore, Twitter results add new, dynamic content.

For search results that are more dynamic by definition - such as "Pittsburgh Steelers" - you will notice that the Twitter module adds to an already crowded and active page. I am not sure yet whether I think this is the future of search results or too much noise / pollution. Between images, news and ads - I visually lean to the latter but philosophically lean to the former.

Dynamic Twitter Results Now Appearing Within Google SERPs

This is my first time seeing Twitter results integrated within a Google search results page. The below query is for "Windows 7" and you will notice a dynamic Twitter 'widget' in-line with other results. The unit scrolls automatically through the most current Twitter results for that query.

Like the recent Chrome Extensions, this is lightweight, minimalist and is visually very clean... in fact, it is so clean and flush within the standard search results, that it is almost confusing. The widget's animation is what visually separated the Twitter results from the web results.

When you click see all results, you arrive at a full-page Twitter search results page. It looks and behaves similarly to the in-page unit - though it is cleaner and includes Twitter user-icons.

The Bit.ly Google Chrome Extension Is Also Awesome

I just raved about Google Chrome extensions and, in particular, the Brizzly extension. Well the Bit.ly Chrome extension is also great:

Once the extension is installed, it allows you to easily post to Bitly and access analytics (much like the bookmarklet I have written about)... but the other feature is the seamless inline preview of the URL.

The below screenshot captures a hover on a Bit.ly URL with high-level metrics (total clicks) and links to deeper information. Like Chrome and the other tested extensions, this is lightweight, fast and simple:

Chrome Releases Extensions, Including Brizzly (Both are Awesome)

Google Chrome has released their "Chrome Extensions" library with nearly 400 functional extensions... and, just like the browser, the extensions are light weight, functional and great looking (the icons animate, have gloss, and so forth). From installation to interaction, the extensions continue to separate Chrome from Firefox in speed and experience. Of course the inventory of Firefox extensions is large, but Chrome will get get there and the initial launch has content from Gmail, Bit.ly, Google Tasks / Calendar, eBay, Brizzly, etc.

For Twitter and Facebook fans, try the Brizzly extension. You can easily post and read content within the window. The user experience replicates that on Brizzly.com (such as inline media)... all from a lightweight extension atop the browser:

Facebook Fan Pages Now Available for Google Search / SEO

A relatively major announcement came out at the end of today's Google Search Event - Marissa Mayer announced that Google will receive real-time access from Facebook Fan Page updates:

“Facebook will be providing us with a feed of updates from public profile pages, also known as Facebook pages,” says Mayer (more on TechCrunch).

This is a significant move for:

- Google, who receives unique and valuable real-time content... that is tied to branded search terms - Brands, who should see increased traffic to their fan pages... and consequently be able to attract larger audiences (ie 'fans') - Facebook, who should see an increase in their SEO traffic much like the vanity URLs they recently introduced

For brands and marketers, this means that Facebook updates should be crafted in ways that are conscious of consumers both on-Facebook (ie their fans) and off-Facebook (conducting searches on Google).... just as they do while crafting blog titles, Twitter posts, and so forth.

It is also worth noting that this is a continued SEO effort by Facebook: vanity URLs, widgets, badges, etc. Certainly there are other compelling reasons (product, strategy, etc) behind these products... but SEO must be one of them!

Learning from Expresso Fitness: Make the Workout Interactive & Social

As an athlete and sports-enthusiast, I am disappointed by the news that Expresso Fitness is "turning out the lights" (according to the Wall Street Journal). Expresso makes interactive, web-connected stationary bikes for high end gyms. The machines monitor your workout while having you compete against the computer and/or other bikers on interactive courses. All of your activity is monitored, logged and available through the web-based system. I have logged hundreds of miles on these machines and, from a consumer perspective, I love the products... and I'm not alone, they usually have members lined-up waiting to use them. The trouble of course is that they are expensive to produce and expensive for the gyms to purchase / maintain (which is in part why there is usually a line - there is short supply). For full utility, they also need to be connected to the web (many gyms simply do not have this capability - even higher-end gyms).

I do believe there are opportunities in the sporting world (Athletes' Performance is a Polaris company and beRecruited's userbase and business are growing terrificly). While Expresso Fitness itself may not be the answer, I applaud them for:

- adding connectivity and interaction to the workout - it improves the actual workout and incents activity

- adding social to the gym - from contests to online activity, social 'game mechanics' make working out more enjoyable and consequently more effective. Brands like Athlete's Performance, Core Performance, and p90x understand this and are doing it in their own unique way

- adding analytics to workout - I love data - from the web to my golf game to my Facebook usage... data makes any routine more effective and productive

Jason Calacanis Announces Launch of Open Angel Forum

Alongside Michael Arrington and TechCrunch, Jason Calacanis has done a great job with the TechCrunch 50 conference - a launchpad for 50 start-ups amid a collection of great roundtable sessions. I have attended each of the last two years and I consider it one of the most productive events of the year. Calacanis is expanding the effort with a new venture: the Open Angel Forum. Formally announced today, the first event will be held January 14th in Los Angeles (with other regions to follow):

The Open Angel Forum is designed to bring together bring together 15-20 high quality angel investors and five companies looking to raise capital. Unlike pay-to-play angel groups like Keiretsu Forum (which charges $6,000 to pitch their four San Francisco chapters!), the Open Angel Forum is free to startups and angel investors. The only people who pay to attend the event are a limited number of service providers (i.e. lawyers, recruiters, etc).

I'm inviting the angel investors I've developed personal relationships with over the years (many of whom have invested in Weblogs, Inc. or Mahalo.com). Think folks like Sky Dayton, Matt Coffin, Elon Musk, Kevin Rose, Ryan Scott, Mark Cuban, Fred Wilson and Ted Leonsis. I've also started angel investing as you probably know.

You can learn more at OpenAngelForum.com. Tied to this announcement, Jason stated his intent to invest as an angel in 5-10 startups a year:

"My first two investments are www.gdgt.com and www.challengepost.com. I'll be announcing two more angel investments in December. My goal is to do 5-10 a year."

My Proudest Day as a Blogger

If you read this blog enough, you surely know that I love Dunkin Donuts (both their iced coffee and use of social media).

The above Dunkin Donuts Twitter post was in response to my "Dunkin Donuts Uses Maurice to Drive Facebook Tab Clicks"