As an internet marketing company totally consumed in the latest technology advancements, we thought there is no better way to prep for the holidays than to share our most technology focused gift ideas for professionals. Some items are useful on the go, helpful on the job, or just simply brings a little humor to the work environment.

This year’s highlights include a personal energy generator, a tripod mount for the iPhone 4, and a portable and foldable Bluetooth keyword for iPhone, iPad or Android.

nPower PEG (Personal Energy Generator)

Description:

As you move, the nPower PEG stores up kinetic energy you’re already generating from your motion and converts it into usable power for recharging your cell phone, mp3 player or other hand held device.

Why it’s Cool:

It’s perfect for any professional that always seems to be without their cell phone charger at a crucial time.  The readymade charger can help you make any last minute phone call, hear a song or make an appointment update to your PDA.

Price:

$150.00

Available at:

nPowerPEG.com

Magnetic Accelerator Cannon

Description:

A metal ball sits at the end of the track as you watch the energy transfer and multiply down through magnets and metal balls until the last ball takes off! Magnetic acceleration has a big place in our future, from weapons to travel, so have some fun experimenting.

Why it’s Cool:

It’s the perfect little item if looking for an afternoon escape. This cannon is extremely powerful and offers a bit of enlightenment in the office.

Price:

$29.99

Available at:

ThinkGeek.com

The Glif

Description:

The Glif is a tripod mount for the iPhone 4. It is a simple piece of plastic that screws into the quick release plate of your tripod and allows you to mount the iPhone in any position you desire.

Why it’s Cool:

Anyone that has tried to shoot video with the iPhone 4 knows that the HD quality is remarkable, but is easily destroyed by the rolling shutter wobble present by the CMOS sensor. The Glif allows you to mount the phone on the tripod, dollie, crane, etc. to use just as you would a standard camera.

Price:

$20.00

Available at:

TheGlif.com

PPC Editor App

Description:

The PPC Editor is an Apple App that provides significant management features like budget management and keyword research. The App relies on Google’s API to pull information regarding PPC campaigns and even though this app was not developed by Google, there has been talk of Google developing an Adwords management tool as well.

Why it’s Cool:

PPC Managers are always in the habit of tweaking Adwords accounts.  The App enables Adwords managers to manage their campaigns without being restricted to the computer.

Price:

$16.99

Available at:

The App Store

Jorno Bluetooth Keyboard

Description:

The keyboard is a portable and foldable Bluetooth keyboard capable of turning any iPhone, iPad or Android device into a fully functioning laptop.  The item serves as a mobile powerhouse in pocket size form with a detachable cradle and provides ease of use. Although the item isn’t truly available until January 2011, those interested can take advantage of pre-order pricing and provide as a late holiday gift in anticipation of receiving one of the most mobile advancements.

Why it’s Cool:

Marketing/communications professionals are always on the go and this handy item allows for quick updates in laptop form.

Price:

$99.00

Available at:

JornoStore.com and select retailers

HP - iPAQ 111 Classic Handheld Organizer

Description:

The HP - iPAQ 111 Classic Handheld Organizer has TFT-LCD Color Display. The device features a Windows Mobile 6 Classic operating system with Microsoft Office Mobile PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Outlook and Internet Explorer keeping everything at your fingertips.

Why it’s Cool:

It’s a handheld organizer that connects to the web allowing you to stay productive away from the office.

Price:

$295.99

Available at:

BestBuy.com

Yoda Desktop Protector

Description:

A motion detecting Yoda lights up and talks when it senses movement near your desktop. The motion sensor will detect movement between 6 and 9 feet away.

Why it’s cool:

It will detect movement while you are away from your desk, and it’s Yoda.

Price:

$25.99

Available at:

ThinkGeek.com

Alfa High Gain USB Wireless Long Range WiFi Network Adapter

Description:

The most powerful WiFi adapter on the market. It’s very secure and is compatible with Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7, Linux and Mac.

Why it’s Cool:

It serves as a solution for connecting a desktop computer that can be set up anywhere to connect to a wireless network.  It’s perfect to travel with because it’s light and compact.

Price:

$35.99

Available at:

Amazon.com

It is true…..Ken just broke up with Barbie using Twitter. I could not believe my ears when my 6 year old daughters latest Barbie DVD was playing in our car during our last family road trip and those exact social media and more technical phrases were being referenced as common place.

Uncommonly, I began to pay extra attention to the dialogue that was taking place and the references of Twitter, email, texting and Facebook kept repeating themselves throughout the story line. I can only imagine what it must be like to actually watch these activities take place on the screen.

We are losing the art of conversation and I am just as guilty of this crime. What is worse our kids are going to completely be conversing via technology and losing site of traditional methods. How can we help keep the art of conversation alive and well, especially with ouryouth?

One good thing from the Barbie video is that one of the characters spoke and stated “you don’t break up with someone using Twitter….that is wrong!” Perhaps this a step in the right direction.

Reliable hosting is a cornerstone of successful internet marketing, and from past experience Bluehost was always on the most reputable list.

In a complete “screw you” to their customers, Bluehost has elected to shut down their servers this evening without informing their customers. Great move! Apparently, they’re as good at customer services as they are at embracing twitter (which they started doing in Feb. and haven’t done any embracing since).

Seems as though many customers may turn away, based on what folks are saying on twitter.

I wonder how much pay per click money was wasted with this fiasco… sounds like an infographic to me.

As you may have heard, we here at ProspectMX are sending Matt Cutts to space.

Well, ok, not the REAL Matt Cutts… and not really into space, but…well watch the video if you haven’t heard.

ProspectMX is Sending Matt Cutts to Space! from Dave Conklin on Vimeo.

That’s right, we had a doll of Matt Cutts made and we’re going to send it on various adventures in the coming months. Hopefully, other prominent members of the SEM community will be on their own adventures, too.

Joe Latrell, a fellow employee, also happens to be a Rocket Scientist (isn’t everyone?). He volunteered to build us a 10 foot rocket to help Matt on his journey.

But there was one critical piece left that we didn’t have for the launch next week.

A name.

So, we polled the community and got a couple great suggestions as to what to call this magnificent beast of a rocket. After much deliberation, crying, voting, and tallying - we have reached a consensus. The rocket will be called…

Drumroll please…

SPAM BLASTER!

Yes, the rocket will be called Spam Blaster. And what better name for the rocket-fueled-speed-machine that will hold Matt Cutts on that fateful day? A phrase that not only encompasses a giant rocket but also Matt Cutt’s day to day responsibilities at Google?

We’re quite pleased with the name and would like to thank everyone that suggested names and voted.

So it’s the final countdown. We have a rocket. We have Matt Cutts. And we have a name.

There’s less than a week left until the launch, so we hope to see you all back here next Monday at 2pm to see how it all goes down.

In the spirit of Halloween, I would like to take this time to talk about a potential trick that was pulled on all of us recently.

As anyone in the internet world will tell you, it is difficult to make something ‘viral’ in today’s online media world. The one thing required to make something viral is that it needs to be something that, when viewed, inspires the viewer to pass it along to everyone they know, invite people around their desk to watch it, or tweet/retweet it.

And that’s not an easy task.

Today’s savvy internet user is fairly unshockable.  There is little you can do (and keep it PG-rated) that will create ANY kind of shock, interest, or humor.  That makes it relatively hard for a big company like Microsoft (who already has a perceived image) to create a promotional campaign/video.  What can they possibly do, then?

Let’s fast forward to right before the launch of Microsoft’s newest OS, Windows 7.  They of course needed to market it after the dismal Windows Vista release, so they decided on a (let’s sarcastically say) brilliant ad campaign where users would host Windows 7 launch parties.

Essentially, a person could decide that they liked Windows enough that they would go online, sign tons of paperwork and become an official launch party host.  They could then recruit all their friends to come (using an overly complicated invitation system that discouraged people from actually using the official way) and sit around and… install Windows 7.

But that’s not all.  If you had enough people you could potentially get a Windows 7 box signed by Steve Ballmer.  Don’t even check eBay, because I’m sure no one would want to part with that gem.

I realize that I may not be explaining this process very clearly. So Microsoft, in their eternal wisdom, made a video that explains the whole process.  Please enjoy below.

Now… I’m going to assume you watched it and that you have the sensibilities and intelligence of a moderately intelligent human being.  What the heck was that?!?!  Awful, awful, awful.  I mean really… it’s embarrassing.  On every single front.  Acting, video, writing, sound quality… was this really produced by a multi billion dollar company?Why, this video is so BAD that I am inspired to forward it to all my friends and laugh at it…

Oh wait.  They got me.  Now, I’m not a conspiracy theorist, but this one has to make you wonder. Did Microsoft intentionally make one of the worst, lamest, milquetoast videos to play right into the lame-o image that Apple created for them?  My gut says no, they aren’t that smart.  But at the same time, it makes me wonder.

If the goal of the video was exposure and publicity, it worked.  The video has been viewed millions of times.  It has been laughed at and mocked, it has been spoofed and goofed.  It’s an embarrassment.  Again, I don’t think they meant to, but Microsoft made one of the most talked about viral videos of the year by making themselves the brunt of the joke.  Congrats.  They did it.

But at what cost?