News and Analysis

Asus has more coming, Starbucks tries a payment App, Digital content is growing, and China's game market is expanding. It looks like a lot is on the march in today's must know geeky job news . . . except for Ireland's economy and the future of 'Clash of the Titans.'

Career:
Be a careerpreneur. A short, fun post on taking an entrepreneurial approach to your career.

Economics/Geekonomics:
Ireland is also having financial problems. There's an acronym kicking around the econosphere – PIGS – Portugal, Ireland (or Italy), Greece and Spain. Those are 4 Eurozone countries with economic issues.

Is productivity actually slowing recovery from unemployment. Some contrarian thoughts.

Anime:
Funimation streams all sorts of stuff – More streaming all the time . . .

Media:
From the so-obvious-you-didn't-think-of-it department: how cutbacks in the postal service could affect geektastic company Netflix. Something I never thought of, and a good example of unexpected consequences in the economic downturn. I'm sure Netflix will beat any changes, but I'm also biased.

Digital Content is set to grow, but news doesn't look like it's going to take advantage of it. Some food for thought from a report from GigaOm.

Movies:
The new Clash of the Titans doesn't seem to do 3D well. For that matter sounds like it doesn't do plot too well either. Sounds like this might be an object lesson in why not to tack 3D on later.

Technology:
Asus has their tablet plans – and talks about them. Get some insights with this interview with Chairman Jonney Shih. Sounds like Asus gets the idea about appealing to different markets and userbases. A few iPad alternatives here.

Starbucks tries an iPhone Payment App. It's being used in 1000 stores, and the results will probably shape their policies and plans – and those of others. How much of a future is there in payment apps?

Video Games:
Chinese game market to nearly triple in 4 years. A lot of their model sounds like it follows the Korean model (which reminds me to get back to Dungeon Fighter Online . . .). An interesting question here is one of Markets – China is growing within and without, but what about letting other companies in . . .

An argument that the retail game store isn't in immediate danger and the comparisons of it to Blockbuster don't hold up here.

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Total Geekery:

Can we replace schools with games? A cheeky article that makes some good points about immersive environments.

The iPad will have an app that makes it look like A PADD from Star Trek. Yes at times, I am easily amused.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: What is the future of the game market in China for external companies?

-Steven Savage

Game news all over, new controverisal social media, and . . . did I mention game news? Let's get to it . . .

Career:
Five reasons you may not be out of debt – Some nice, simple, effective advice.

Relocation:
Why location independence may be overrated. As a person who considered this kind of lifestyle, I have to say this makes some good points.

Economics/Geekonomics:
Keep an eye on Greece and China – Though to judge by this column, mostly China. Plenty to think of about these two companies often mentioned in any discussion on the economy, all written clearly.

Green Geekery:
An eco-friendly coke bottle redeisgn – Caffeine, a classic refreshment, aesthetic redesign, and green? A great example of having it all at once geektastically.

Anime:
Funimation gets rights to 'Black Butler/Kuroshitsuji'

Publishing:
Borders is apparently close to new financing.

Social Media:
Will Unvarnished become the 'honest' version of LinkedIn.com, a Yelp for People as seen here, or just an online Burn Book? Frankly I'm inclined to believe the worst – especially in this tough economy – and that this will go nasty fast, and end up with a lot of legal problems However you're going to need to be aware of this if it hits the larger social media culture.

Technology:
A look at how Google could solve the issue of fragmentation in Android

Video Games:
Must Read: The experience of a game reporter using his Pokewalker at PAX. He notes the power of this peripheral as a social tool, and describes his experience. Nintendo often seems to have a good handle on some of the social aspects of gaming, and those of you working (or wanting to work) in gaming will find some food for thought. I myself speculate that one of the values of gaming is going beyond the game – and companies that know how to add "lifestyle" elements to games may have an advantage.

There's a definite trend towards agencies working with game development talent. I think the current trends somewhat favor this – the investment it requires to make a good game requires talent. This also means that if you're in gaming – or want to be – it's time to see if agencies will affect you. For that matter of course they might be a good place to work.

A grant for Wii-based programs? Not game programs but programs like therapy. Might be worth finding out more about – or suggesting similar activities to organizations you know . . .

Future US thinks that gaming magazines face a tough future. They needless to say have some insights.

Breaks for game developers in the UK? It's a campaign issue. Seriously. Now let's see if some of this gets over to the states . . .

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Finally . . . most awesome school bus in ages.

QUESTION OF THE DAY: So, Unvarnished. Good idea or bad idea?

-Steven Savage