New Version of Plaxo Launched

Plaxo has announced Plaxo 3.0, a new version that builds on its multi-point sync product by offering improved sync options as well as a feed-style people tracker.

Automated “multi-way sync” under Plaxo 3.0 includes Google Calender, Microsoft (Outlook, Outlook Express, Vista Mail, and Hotmail), Yahoo (Mail and Calendar), Mac OSX (for Address Book, iCal, and iPhone), AOL (AIM and Classic AOL), Mozilla Thunderbird and LinkedIn. The new multi-component “smart address book” web app includes tabs for contacts, calendar, tasks, notes, and more. A revamped address book component includes click-to-call phone numbers via Jajah and maps from Yahoo.

Search for Billions of Photos

Photobucket has announced the launch of Photobucket Media Plug-in 2.0, an enhanced version of its free image and video hosting plug-in.

The new plug-in gives users of participating web sites the ability to search for billions of publicly stored photos, videos and images from Photobucket’s extensive library, along with access to their own content from existing Photobucket media accounts, all without leaving partner sites.

Photobucket Media Plug-in 2.0 partner sites include: Freewebs, Gaiaonline.com, LiveJournal, Piczo, Rockyou.com, Singshot, Slide.com and Tagged.com.

Photobucket CEO Alex Welch said that by adding search to Photobuckets Media Plug-ins will deliver a more compelling service option for Photobucket’s partners.

A Happy Reminder

If you’ve even been on a late night Mountain Dew binge only to wake up and forget how many of the “Extreme” beverages you need to restock for your next LAN party,Ikan might have the fix for you.

Ikan is a special bar code scanner you can use to keep your grocery shopping list up to date. As you use items, simply scan them before you trash them to keep a running tally of what you’ve used. It also has a voice recorder you can use to add non-coded items like apples and oranges.

Your list is saved to the internet, where you can review and print out your list or ship it off to an online grocery store to complete your order. Because the list is on the net, you can even review it on the go from a mobile browser.

New Rules for Social Media Optimization

There is an exceptionally interesting meme developing around the idea of social media optimization. It started with Rohit Bhargava of Ogilvy Public Relations and his 5 Rules of Social Media Optimization (SMO).

Read the article here.

Create mashups in minutes. With openkapow you can quickly create, deploy, share and use web services (called Robots) that masups anything on the web.

Star Wars Mashups

Upload your videos and mash them with classic Star Wars scenes, special effects, and music. Add transitions and titles, then share your video.

High Stakes Countdown

(Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images)

Apple is struggling to keep expectations in check as it prepares to release the hotly anticipated iPhone this month.

Going Green At Work

Sun Light & Power CEO Gary Gerber stands behind a set of solar panels that provide power to his Berkeley office space. Sun Light & Power installs solar operated power sources for commercial and residential use.

The Healthy, Hip High-Tech Home

Today's decked-out domiciles are big on gear that helps you get a good night's sleep, keep the germs away, and stay fit.

How can Web 2.0 contribute to development?

How can Web2.0 contribute to development? What are your experiences in using Web2.0 tools for knowledge sharing and collaboration in the domain of rural and agricultural development? Do social networks, mashups, blogs, and wikis have an influence on your work? What challenges towards Web2.0 did you experience or do you expect?

Kiss Boring Interfaces Goodbye With Apple's New Animated OS

When Steve Jobs takes the stage Monday [June 11th] at Apple's programmers conference, he's likely to give the world a glimpse of an upgraded Mac operating system that could herald the biggest changes to the machine's interface in 30 years.

Reid Hoffman talks with Mercury News

LinkedIn founder and angel investor Reid Hoffman talks with Mercury News venture capital reporter Connie Loizos about where he sees the social networking space headed, as well as his investment strategy these days

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Maestro: Social Music Streaming

Music has been a killer app on the web ever since Napster met mp3 in 1999, and we’ve seen a lot of startups designing new social applications around it. Some startups are creating communities around discovering new music, others are helping you store and remotely access the music you already have. Atlanta-based Maestro is doing both.

How Do Wikis Work?

Here's a creative explanation for those not in the know.